A video circulating online shows a woman carrying her elderly mother inside a hospital after a road accident in Tamil Nadu. According to a report in NDTV, the woman identified as Valarmathi resorted to carrying her elderly mother, Sorna, as there was no wheelchair available at the government health centre. Joint Director of Health, Ambika Shanmugam, told the outlet that an inquiry has been launched into the case. "I have enquired with the Superintendent and the Resident Medical Officer of the Hospital. Today, I am conducting the exercise with other staff and attendants," she explained.
"Facilities Available But Staff Busy With Other Case," Say Officials
The 36-second video acquired by NDTV has caused outrage on social media over the negligence of government hospital authorities and the health department. The hospital officials said that the unit had adequate facilities but the staff was occupied with the arrival of a body in a murder case at the time of Sorna's arrival.
The staff claimed that the attendant did not seek assistance but instead chose to carry her mother in an attempt to expedite treatment. Ambika Shanmugam of the health department added, "Neither the patient nor her family has filed a complaint." An investigation has been initiated into the matter, she said.
Similar Case From Rajasthan
In July 2023, a similar case from Kota made headlines as a man rode his scooter inside a hospital with his son seated in the pillion seat. Manoj Jain sought permission from authorities to take his scooter from the ground floor to the third floor as his son's fractured leg was plastered, leaving him unable to walk, while there was no wheelchair available.
"My son's foot was plastered in the orthopaedic ward. But he was not in a position to walk. So, we needed a wheelchair or a stretcher. We spent 10 to 15 minutes asking the staff for a wheelchair or a stretcher but they had a shortage of those equipment," he told India Today. The man's action was later hailed by netizens as well as the police.
"What you have done, sir, is right. If there is a lack of facilities in the hospital, they will provide facilities to their relatives through whatever means they have. Since there was no wheelchair inside the hospital, the helpless father had to take his child outside on a scooter after the plaster was applied," a police official told the man, according to India Today.
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