Durgapur, 26 July (H.S.): Tension prevailed at a private hospital in Durgapur's City Centre on Sunday after a 58-year-old patient died, with his family alleging medical negligence and demanding a thorough investigation into the incident.

The deceased, Rajkumar Mondal (58), was a resident of Benachity in Durgapur.

According to his family, the attending doctor had approved his discharge on July 23, but the hospital allegedly did not release him, citing issues related to his health insurance. They further alleged that the patient's condition deteriorated after a strong disinfectant spray was used inside his hospital room. He died on Sunday, two days after the alleged incident.

Following the death, family members and relatives staged a protest on the hospital premises, accusing the hospital authorities of negligence, irresponsibility and lapses in treatment. They demanded strict action against those responsible and a comprehensive investigation into the matter.

The deceased's daughter, Kobita Chattopadhyay, alleged, Even after my father was declared fit for discharge, he was kept in the hospital because of insurance-related issues. Later, a pungent disinfectant spray was used in his room, after which his condition worsened. My father's death occurred due to the hospital's negligence. We want strict action against the hospital authorities. We have informed the police.

Responding to the allegations, the hospital's DGM (Operations), Shilpa Swar, said the hospital had requested the family to allow a post-mortem.

The exact cause of death will be clear only after the post-mortem report is received, she said.

The police have initiated an investigation into the incident, while the post-mortem findings are expected to determine the cause of death and whether there was any negligence in the patient's treatment.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey