A disturbing incident of alleged medical negligence has come to light from the Civil Hospital in Paonta Sahib, located in the Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh. A 90-year-old patient, Munga Devi, was left without vital oxygen support for nearly two hours after her cylinder ran out. When her grandson approached the healthcare staff to request an immediate replacement, the on-duty nurse reacted aggressively and threatened to call the police rather than addressing the medical emergency.
Oxygen Depletion Leaves Elderly Patient Distressed
According to available details, 90-year-old Munga Devi, a resident of Baila-Gujon village in the Giripar region of Sirmaur district, was admitted to the Civil Hospital in Paonta Sahib after suffering severe respiratory distress. While undergoing treatment in the ward, the oxygen cylinder attached to her bed became completely depleted, causing her condition to deteriorate rapidly. Noticing her acute discomfort, her grandson Saurabh and other relatives repeatedly requested the ward staff to install a fresh oxygen cylinder. However, despite their urgent pleas, the attending staff allegedly delayed action for nearly two hours, leaving the elderly woman gasping for air.
Heated Altercation with Nursing Staff Captured on Video
Frustrated by the prolonged delay, Saurabh pressed the nursing staff once again to expedite the replacement. The request led to a heated altercation with staff nurse Monika, who reportedly lost her temper and shouted at the young man. A 19-second video clip capturing the confrontation has surfaced, showing an intense exchange between the nurse and the patient's relative. In the footage, the nurse can be heard arguing loudly, stating that she had reported for duty at 2:00 PM. Holding a phone in her hand, she accused the grandson of misbehaving with her and asserted that she would summon the police, while adding that she had just arrived and would check on the patient shortly.
CM Helpline Escalation and Multiple Written Complaints
With no immediate resolution offered by the ward personnel, the patient's family registered an official grievance on the Chief Minister Helpline 1100 at approximately 5:00 PM on Wednesday. Following the helpline intervention, the hospital administration acted swiftly to replace the empty oxygen cylinder. The incident sparked widespread outrage among other patient attendants in the ward, with around 10 people signing a joint complaint document protesting the staff's conduct. Saurabh stated that numerous patients have faced similar misbehavior from the nurse, noting that 11 written complaints have already been submitted against her. The hospital management has instructed the aggrieved family to submit a formal written report regarding the matter.
