For the second time, Virinchi Hospital has been stripped off its license to treat covid patients

Hyderabad: A day after the family of a COVID-19 victim pulled up the Virinchi Hospital management for medical negligence, the director of public health (DPH), Telangana, revoked the hospital's license to treat COVID-19 patients. It is pertinent to note that this is the second time Virinchi's license to treat COVID-19 patients has been cancelled.

In a notice, the DPH said, "A complaint has been received from the relative of Vamsi Krishna (deceased), a resident of Nalgonda district, regarding medical negligence by the doctors and staff of the hospital in treating a COVID patient by violating the treatment protocols. Following this, a show cause notice was issued seeking an explanation within 20 hours. In view of this, the hospital's license to treat COVID patients has been revoked."

On 28 May, the Punjagutta police had booked 16 people, including the family members of the COVID-19 victim, for attempting to attack a doctor at Virinchi Hospital in Banjara Hills.

The family had alleged criminal negligence and said the victim was given an overdose of steroids and wrong dialysis. The man had died after suffering a cardiac arrest. His family also alleged that the hospital overcharged them and the final bill came to a whopping Rs. 8 lakhs. Claiming that the hospital was trying to save the doctor, the victim's family had staged a protest at the hospital on 27 May.

According to the police, V. Vamsi was admitted to Virinchi Hospital on 7 May after testing positive for COVID-19. However, his condition deteriorated and he died on 22 May. His body was handed over to the family but days after his cremation, the family returned to the hospital demanding an explanation for his death. A few doctors reportedly informed Vamsi's family that his death was due to medical negligence by the Virinchi doctors.

"A group of 16 people attempted to attack the doctor and even broke a computer and a glass door. A criminal case has been registered and they will be sent to judicial remand," said a police officer.

The order said, "No COVID-19 patient shall be admitted to the hospital and no inconvenience should be caused to already admitted patients and they have to be treated as per treatment protocols. If it is found that the said hospital is not following these orders, the government will be compelled to cancel the license issued to the hospital".