Thaindian News

Mohali (Punjab), Oct 22 (IANS) The death of a 48-year-old woman, who died after suffering from swine flu at a hospital of this Punjab town has sparked controversy, an official said Thursday. The woman’s death has pointed towards irregularities in the procedures followed by hospital staff while treating her.
Vinu Gupta, a native of Solan town in Himachal Pradesh, was admitted to the Silver Oaks hospital Oct 18 with symptoms of the influenza A (H1N1) virus. She succumbed to the disease that afternoon.

The hospital staff have now submitted a written reply to the District Health Officer (DHO) of Mohali making their stand over the incident clear.

“I have got information that hospital authorities have submitted a written reply to the DHO, regarding the death of a woman, who was suffering from swine flu. But I have not received a copy of that reply,” Deepak Bhatia, nodal officer of swine flu (Punjab), told IANS here Thursday.

He added, “There are reports that the hospital has admitted some anomalies, like they did not inform the concerned officials in time, on their part. Today I would myself like to go through the report and after that we will plan our further course of action.”

Immediately after admitting Gupta, the hospital staff had sent her nasal and throat swab samples to the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) for tests. Her reports, which came late Sunday, tested positive.

Hospital sources said that doctors were treating the woman for lung infection instead of swine flu. The victim was also not kept in an isolated ward and they did not even inform the DHO before sending her samples for testing.

“We will also inform the government about this matter and if we find hospital staff responsible for any lapse then strict action will be taken against them,” Bhatia said.

Hospital officials were not available for comment.

Mohali is around 10 km from state capital Chandigarh.