Reeda's family files criminal complaint against pvt hospitals

Pune, Aug 6 (PTI) The family of a 14-year-old school girl
who became India's first swine flu victim Thursday filed a
criminal complaint against two private hospitals-- Jehangir
and Ruby Hall--alleging medical negligence leading to her
death.

The police action came even as nine more persons,
including three girl students of St Anne's school where the
victim Reeda Shaikh studied, tested positive for H1N1 virus
since Wednesday evening. The three schoolmates of the Reeda
Shaikh belonged to different classes, a point worrying
officials concerned over spread of the virus in the school.

Also, two new schools-- - St Helena and Loyola --were
added to the list of affected educational establishments,
health officials said .

The written complaint seeking criminal prosecution of
the Directors of the two hospitals also named Dr Sanjay
Agarwal, a panel doctor in Jehangir hospital where Reeda
succumbed to the deadly virus on August 3.

"Police will investigate into the matter and register
an FIR against the accused," Asif Lampwala, lawyer
representing Reeda's aunt Ayesha Shaikh, told reporters.

With the panic triggered by the first swine flu death
showing no signs of respite, hundreds of anxious people
wearing face masks continued to throng Naidu hospital, a
referral centre, to get themselves tested for the H1N1 virus.

The Pune administration meanwhile released a list of 15
new centres to facilitate "pre-screening" for H1N1 virus.

With the government testing centre coming under
increasing pressure, the western state Maharashtra Government
is considering allowing private hospitals to conduct tests for
swine flu.

Both Jehangir and Ruby hall clinic have denied the
allegations made by Reeda's family.

Lawyer Lampwala said the joint director, state health
department too had filed a complaint against the two private
hospitals for alleged medical negligence.

"We will initiate separate civil proceedings at
Consumer forum seeking suitable compensation for the death by
negligence", he added.

Lampwala, who was accompanied by Ayesha Shaikh, filed
the complaint at Bund garden police station under which
jurisdiction the two hospitals fall.

The deceased girl's family had alleged that Reeda's
blood samples were sent by Jehangir Hospital to Ruby Hall
clinic for H1N1 testing when it should have referred it to
designated National Institute of Virology (NIV).

Ruby clinic sent test result as negative for the virus
within an hour employing rapid testing methods which resulted
in delay in proper treatment giving proper treatment to the
girl, according to the family.

The samples subsequently tested positive for H1N1
infection at the second test carried out at NIV.

The lawyer said the complaint had also named Dr Sanjay
Agarwal under whose supervision Reeda was treated for
pneumonia following a wrong diagnosis at Jehangir hospital.

Jehangir hospital had contended that the girl had
shown 'non-specific' symptoms at the time of admission on July
27 and when H1N1 infection to her was confirmed at NIV on July
31, the hospital had alerted health authorities putting the
patient on the prescribed anti-viral Tamiflu tablet.

On its part, Ruby Hall clinic spokesman too had
refuted the charge that it came out with wrong test result
that contributed to the girl's death. PTI HBJ
AM
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