Patient ends life by leaping out of hospital window in UP

Lucknow, Sep 18 (IANS) A 54-year-old patient ended his life by leaping out from the window of the orthopaedic ward on the third floor at the King George’s Medical University (KGMU) campus, said police on Monday.The patient, Ram Vriksh Chauhan, had been admitted to the ward and underwent spine injury surgery on September 13.

Dr Sudhir Singh, the spokesperson for the medical university, said, “The patient was admitted on August 25 and hailed from Kushinagar. He possessed an Ayushman Bharat card and was receiving treatment for a spinal injury under the scheme.”

Authorities at the Chowk police station were alerted, and they are currently investigating any possible foul play. The base of the window from which the patient fell was approximately two feet above the ground, with glass covering half of it and grills on the other half. The glass had been shattered at the time of the incident.

“The patient was alone when the morning ward cleaning was underway, as his family members had temporarily stepped out of the ward. He took the tragic leap from the third floor of the orthopaedic department while unaccompanied,” said inspector in-charge of Wajirganj police station, Manoj Kumar Mishra.

Chauhan was a resident of Padauli village in Kushinagar and worked as a labourer. He had sustained spinal injury while working on the construction of a bridge near his village.

“The patient was in the process of recovery and exhibited no neurological issues post-operation. Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding this unfortunate incident, which will shed light on what led to this tragic incident,” said Dr Singh.

Meanwhile, the family members of Chauhan alleged that unruly behaviour of staff and guards made him depressed, leading him to take this extreme step.

His nephew Vinay Kumar said, “Guards used to scold us and attendants of other patients before the round of senior doctors. On a few occasions, the staff had also misbehaved with Ram Vriksh and despite our protest they continued to behave in a questionable manner."

Vinay also demanded a compensation for the family members of the deceased.

--IANSamita/dpb