Narmadaben Parmar death probe report is out, clean chit to doctors, changes in fee exemption procedure recommended

Ahmedabad, 5 December 2011

A three-member committee, investigating into Narmadaben Parmar’s death in Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation(AMC) run VS hospital, has come out with its report giving a clean chit to the doctors. The committee has recommended changes into procedure of giving exemption in fees charged for medical treatment in VS hospital.

Narmadaben Parmar, a patient died in VS hospital on 23 November. Her husband alleged that though he had below poverty line(BPL) card, he was asked to pay for the treatment. Narmadaben’s husband also alleged that his wife died in the hospital due to medical negligence. Narmadaben’s husband later committed suicide by jumping in the Sabarmati river.

The AMC formed a three-member committee led by BJ medical college’s additional superintendent Dr. MF Sheikh was formed to investigate the death of Narmadaben.

Committee had to answer three questions.

-Whether a treatment given to Narmadaben was as per the medical protocols or not?
-Whether ventilator was removed before Narmadaben’s death, as alleged by her relatives?
-What was the reason of Narmadaben’s death?

The probe committee has in its report concluded that:

-When Narmadaben Parmar was transferred to VS hospital from a private hospital, she was critical.

-Surgery performed on her in VS hospital was timely and there was no delay.

-The treatment given to her was correct and timely.

-Ventilator support to Narmadaben was removed after her death.

-Real reason behind Narmadaben’s death could be known only after postmortem report is arrived.

-Procedure of giving exemption in medical treatment charges in VS hospital needs change.