Basing on the clarification made by CIHSR authority about the 26th July, 2021 death incident of Late Sisenya Kez , through print media on 20th August, 2021, I , being the elder sister of the deceased who was 6 months old Pregnant and the sole witness of the incident would like to present some facts and queries .
1) If the patient was declared Positive using RAT – “Rapid Antigen Test” from Zion hospital on 23/ July / 2021, then, did the concern Doctor immediately run RT PCR test on the patient when she arrived at Emergency Department CIHSR on 23 rd August 2021? CIHSR hospital being the only hospital with BSL lab facilities in Dimapur District, did they run the confirmative test on the patient? If yes, then where is the test report? And how accurate is RAT from RT PCR or BSL lab report?
2) According to the “death certificate” issued to the family members by CIHSR dated – 26 July 2021, the primary cause of death is clearly written as “septic shock” and secondary cause as “COVID-19 infections (Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome)”. Going by the official press statements of CIHSR, it highlighted the patient with no pregnancy related complications, no rib fracture owing to fall injury. Then the primary cause in the death certificate should have been COVID-19 death and not secondary as mentioned. Why does the CIHSR press statements contradicts the death certificate that was handed over to the family.
3) The deceased pregnant lady had bleeding issues and also chest pain causing mild breathing discomfort from a fall that occurred on 11th July, 2021 for which she underwent treatment from a qualified Doctor at her hometown Jalukie, Peren District. But there was no positive improvement so the Doctor referred her to Dimapur for further course of treatment.
The question that’s pricking us; With those evident signs of bleeding and breathlessness caused by her fall injury, did the emergency doctor addressed and gave prioritized treatment on her arrival at CIHSR Emergency Dept. How did the concerned hospital quote clarification letter No.2/Patient in Emergency Dept., there was no pregnancy related problem or rib fracture whereas she was referred to Dimapur for cases related to bleeding and chest pain. Citing No visible rib fracture, how did the Doctor diagnosed the Mild breathing discomfort for chest injury to severe breathlessness with high respiratory rate and low oxygen saturation? Why was she further confirmed COVID-19 positive by the X-Ray result and not RT – PCR Test when the hospital has Lab facilities.
Ignoring the urgent need of proper medical attention and treatment for bleeding and chest pain for which she was referred to Dimapur, the victim was sent to COVID-19 ICU directly from emergency room (CIHSR), that reflects medical negligence on the part of the hospital.
Whereas the clarifications letter stated that formal consent was obtained from the relatives before admission to Covid – 19 ICU, but while she was in Emergency room, I was instructed to buy medicines from the Pharmacy. As I got back along with the medicines, to my utter surprise I could not find my sister there, on enquiry to the staff the whereabouts of my sister, I was informed that she was shifted to Covid ICU. Therefore with great dismay, I declare that I was not provided or asked to sign any consent form prior to her admission to Covid ICU, and so no formal consent was obtained from the relative as claimed, as I was the only relative who accompanied her to the Emergency Room and she was shifted during my absence.
As normally practised in hospitals, on death or discharge from the hospital, the patient’s card and investigative tests results/reports carried out are handed over to the patient / relatives.
But in this case, contrary to the hospital’s clarifications in print medias, except the death certificate all other reports and necessary documents were withheld by the hospital. When requested for the same, they bluntly refused to give. Laying forward all the above mentioned facts and statements, I would ask the CIHSR Hospital to do the needful as should be by providing all the necessary reports and documents.
The lost souls (Mother and 6 months child) may not be brought back but truth is deserving for my deceased sister and the baby in her womb.
Asenle Kez,
elder Sister of the deceased and aunt of the six months old
unborn baby.
Dimapur, Nagaland.