Suspected corona patient’s death sparks riot at LRH

Family files complaint about alleged negligence of doctors, counter FIR filed against the family

PESHAWAR: Windows and glass doors inside the Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) were destroyed by attendants of a suspected novel coronavirus (Covid-19) patient who died at the facility on Friday.

The family, however, claimed that the patient was suffering from a heart ailment with no visible symptoms of the virus and had died due to the alleged negligence of doctors.

Hospital sources said that a 50-year-old woman was brought to the hospital in critical condition and was shifted to the Critical Care Unit (CCU). However, she could not survive.

When the family was informed about her death, they started smashing the doors and windows, blaming that negligence of doctors for her demise.

The deceased woman’s son, Advocate Shehzad, told The Express Tribune that his mother was suffering from a heart-related ailment. He clarified that she had not displayed any Covid-19 symptoms.

Shehzad added that when his mother informed them that she was not feeling well, they rushed her to the hospital. There, he said that the hospital staff tested his mother for Covid-19 and then shifted her to the cardiovascular ward.

Upon being informed of her death, Shehzad said that they had registered their grievances with the doctors over the care provided to her and later lodged a complaint with the police for their alleged negligence.

Meanwhile, hospital spokesperson Muhammad Asim said clarified that they did not use force against the relatives of the patient. Instead, he attributed the injuries sustained to their hands to their acts of violence in smashing the windows and doors of the hospital.

We have all the records of her medical treatment and we regret their loss, but we have also requested the police department to take action against the attackers and register an FIR against them, he said.

Attendants crowd hospitals

Even though the three major health facilities in Peshawar have issued standard operating procedures (SOPs) for visitors amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, attendants and their relatives continue to crowd hospital corridors and wards. 

Published in The Express Tribune, May 30^th, 2020.