Health Minister Steps In After Doctor Refuses to Treat Sick Child

A disturbing incident at Ahmedabad’s Sola Civil Hospital has sparked widespread outrage after a video went viral showing a resident paediatrician allegedly refusing to treat a critically ill seven-year-old girl, declaring, “Ilaaj Nahi Karungi” (I will not treat). The shocking footage, which circulated rapidly across social media platforms, prompted a swift intervention from the Gujarat State Health Minister, Praful Panseriya, who immediately ordered an inquiry into the matter, vowing strict action against the staff involved.

The incident occurred late on the night of October 26th, when Ajay Chawda rushed his young niece to the hospital’s paediatrics department. The child was suffering from a high fever, a persistent cough, and severe breathing difficulties. The family, which had ties to the hospital as Chawda’s brother works there as an electrician, was seeking urgent medical attention.

Confrontation Over a Thermometer

Upon reaching the department, the family initially found no doctor on duty. When a female resident doctor eventually arrived, the situation quickly deteriorated. According to the family, the doctor immediately began scolding them over the placement of a thermometer, which had reportedly been placed outside the child’s T-shirt, under her arm, by another hospital staff member.

When the family attempted to explain the situation, the doctor allegedly became highly aggressive, raising her voice and engaging in a heated argument. “I asked her to speak politely, but she said that’s just how her voice is,” recalled Ajay Chawda.

Escalation and Refusal to Treat

The confrontation reached a critical point when the child’s uncle began recording the interaction. This move further enraged the resident doctor, who allegedly struck his hand and even physically assaulted his brother before making the outright refusal to treat the ailing child.

“She told us to go wherever we wanted, even to the Chief Minister, but she wouldn’t treat us,” the child’s uncle claimed, encapsulating the doctor’s shocking disregard for the patient’s immediate need for care.

Health Minister’s Firm Response

The video’s immediate and wide circulation forced a rapid official response. State Health Minister Praful Panseriya took a strong stance against the alleged misbehaviour. In a public statement, he asserted that “no act of misbehaviour by medical staff will be tolerated,” and ensured a “strict and impartial action” would be taken if the allegations against the staff or official were found to be true.

Following the minister’s intervention and the media spotlight, hospital authorities reportedly stepped in. The child eventually received the necessary medical attention, though the family claims they were initially requested by the Chief Medical Officer to delete the video footage.

This incident has once again brought the critical issue of patient-staff interaction, particularly within government hospitals, into sharp focus, raising questions about medical ethics and the conduct of healthcare professionals in high-stress environments. The outcome of the official inquiry is awaited, with the public demanding accountability for the alleged neglect and aggression shown towards a patient in urgent need.