The UP Health Department has suspended the license of Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital in Amethi following the death of a 22-year-old woman amid allegations of medical negligence. The Sanjay Gandhi Hospital is run by the Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Trust New Delhi which has Sonia Gandhi as its chairperson and Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi as its members.
The 22-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital on September 14 with a stomach ache. Her condition worsened, and she was transferred to a private hospital in Lucknow for gallbladder surgery, where she tragically passed away on September 16.
The family has alleged that her death was caused by an anesthesia overdose at Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital. An FIR has been registered against the hospital on September 17.
Following the incident, district health officials launched an investigation and formed a three-member inquiry team, led by the Additional Chief Medical Officer. On September 18, the hospital’s license was suspended by district health officials, citing initial evidence of medical negligence.
The Congress party claims that the BJP government in the state is engaging in political vendetta by targeting the hospital, which is run by a Trust chaired by Sonia Gandhi. The hospital is set to challenge the license suspension in court, and Congress plans to protest against the government’s decision.
The Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital is a 100-bed facility with a history dating back to 1982 when former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi laid its foundation stone. It has been serving the Munshiganj area of Amethi since 1989.
In a letter written to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Congress president Ajay Rai on Wednesday urged him to “immediately withdraw the suspension of the license order.”
“For the people of rural areas, this hospital provides cardiology, nephrology, gastro, dermatology, pulmonary, ENT, paediatrics, among others as well as emergency services, blood bank… The hospital provides these services at a nominal charge or free in some cases,” Rai wrote, expressing hope that the chief minister “with his positive direction would ensure that injustice is not done towards people of Amethi and the employees and doctors of the hospital”.
Meanwhile, Wing Commander (retd) Manoj Muttu, the administrator of Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Trust, told The Indian Express that they are going to appeal against the decision in court. “We were asked for an explanation about the September 14 incident by the officials and given three months’ time, but orders were issued to suspend the license of the hospital in the next 24 hours. We are not denying the incident, and there can be an inquiry into it. An FIR has already been lodged,” he said.
“My submission as the representative of the Trust is that it is possible (for such an incident) even in government hospitals. But to close down the entire hospital with 450 staff, 600 nursing students, and 200 paramedic students, without giving an opportunity to explain, is justified under what rule? Therefore, we are going to make an appeal,” Muttu added.
“While the law would do its work, the way the hospital was closed down is not right. The one who is guilty should be punished and not the entire organization. The hospital has been serving the people of Amethi for decades, and now a lock has been put on it. The hospital is not of the Congress; it caters to all,” Congress leader KL Sharma said slamming the government’s decision and offering his condolences to the family of the 22-year-old woman.
“There should be no politics over this. There would be many occasions to do politics in the future, but this is not the one,” he asserted.
