Andhra Pradesh

Hospital superintendent denies negligence

KURNOOL: M.S.R.K. Prasad, superintendent of General Hospital and Mallikarjuna, Principal of Kurnool Medical College, denied lack of treatment or medical negligence as the reason for death of five persons when doctors had struck work on September 29 here.

Talking to reporters here on Thursday, Dr. Prasad said it was not five deaths as reported but a total of 11 persons died in the hospital. He justified the rate of deaths in a hospital which treats 1,600 people as out-patients and 1,100 to 1,300 people as in-patients daily. Dr. Prasad explained that around 11 to 13 deaths occurred every day in the hospital which was an acceptable mortality rate. On the day of strike also only 11 patients died and every case was examined for the reasons. All patients received treatment. The number of out-patients treated and in-patient admissions were normal which would not have happened without the work of doctors.

Dr. Prasad objected to putting up barricade across the main gate by the striking doctors saying that doctors had no mandate either from the Doctors’ Association or the hospital to do so.

Efforts were on to pinpoint the persons responsible for the barricading which was there for a while. He said explanations were sought from the association members for the lapse, which had occurred due to communication gap among the association leaders. Association leaders Pullanna, Sarma and others were present.

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