Kolkata, July 14 (IANS) A two-and-a half-year-old thalassemia patient was allegedly treated callously and his parents were manhandled by attending junior doctors at a state-run hospital Monday here. Rimo Das of Metiabruz on the western fringe of Kolkata was taken to the National Medical College Hospital Monday morning for blood transfusion.

“The junior doctors took my son to the outdoor emergency ward instead of the paediatric ward for blood transfusion. When we protested and requested them to take him to a senior doctor, they drove us away,” said Rimo’s father Sanjay.

“After that they pricked Rimo four times to find his vein and later released him, saying they are not being able to locate it. By that time his health condition had deteriorated, but the doctors refused to admit him at the hospital despite beds being available.”

Sanjay alleged that the doctors even manhandled him and his wife.

“The doctors pushed me and my wife Rupa out of the ward when we went to request them to admit Rimo and said they will not admit him at any cost.”

“We have lodged a complaint against the doctors at Beniapukur police station and will submit a written complaint at the health department,” Sanjay added.

The hospital authorities were not available for a comment on this issue.

The baby, now suffering from high fever and low haemoglobin, would be admitted to the Chittaranjan Seva Sadan and Sisu Sadan Tuesday.