See-sawing between life and death

An unidentified woman, found unconscious on the streets and admitted to DMCH, was declared dead on the basis ofcasual testing methods at DMCH, but woke up as she was being taken to the morgue on Thursday. The woman, who allegedly did not receive proper treatment at the hospital at the initial stages, breathed her last 26 hours after her 'resurrection' on Friday. 

The perfunctory and apathetic treatment of the patient speaks poorly of the healthcare service provided by the country's leading public hospital and is symptomatic of the problems plaguing the premier institution.

Preliminary investigation by the hospital found that the doctor pronounced her death when she was found to have no heartbeat, physical movement and blood pressure, without using any of the three ECG machines on the floor.

It was learnt from patients in her ward that she did not have an attendant and was denied proper treatment, given only an intravenous saline drop and some injections. Doctors at DMCH corroborated that she did not receive any lab tests. Had comprehensive care been provided by the hospital, it is probable she might still be alive.

We note that the DMCH authorities have undertaken an investigation process to determine if the doctor who declared her dead was at fault. However, it must also resolve whether the hospital fulfilled its obligation in providing proper treatment to the patient.

Appropriate measures must be taken to ensure that such an incident is not repeated in the future.