On Monday night, tension sparked up in Rourkela Government Hospital (RGH) after relatives of a deceased patient assaulted a male staff nurse, alleging medical negligence. According to sources, Deceased Ram Pyare Jaiswal (62) of Panposh, Rourkela, was admitted to the RGH with acute breathing and other complications but died a few hours later. Following his death, the deceased’s four sons and relatives raised questions over his death, alleging medical negligence. They also heckled a male staff nurse on duty and assaulted him on the hospital premises.

On Tuesday, health workers at RGH protested against the assault on the staff nurse and resorted to ceasing their duties. Normalcy was restored after police and RGH management intervened and convinced the agitators to call off their strike. Later, the male staff nurse filed a complaint against five people at the RN Pali police station. Another complaint alleging medical negligence was filed by Ram’s family members.

RGH Superintendent, Dr Jagdish Barik, stated that there was no medical negligence as the patient was admitted to the hospital in critical condition. He added that the patient died of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), or heart attack. Meanwhile, as per the hospital protocol, a fact-finding committee will further probe the matter.