Political Slugfest Between BJP-Congress As Sonia Gandhi-Linked Hospital Faces Licence Suspension Amid Allegations of Medical Negligence

The Uttar Pradesh Health Department has suspended the licence of Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital in Amethi following allegations of medical negligence that resulted in the death of a 22-year-old woman.

The hospital, which is chaired by Sonia Gandhi's trust, faces scrutiny, with the Congress party accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government of engaging in "political vendetta" by targeting the institution.

Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital is a 100-bed facility serving the Munshiganj community in Amethi since 1989. Former prime minister Indira Gandhi laid the foundation stone of the hospital in 1982.

The incident in question involved a young woman admitted to the hospital on 14 September due to a stomach ailment. Her condition deteriorated before her gallbladder surgery, leading to her transfer to a private hospital in Lucknow.

Tragically, she passed away on 16 September. Her family suspects that an anesthesia overdose at the Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital caused her death, prompting the filing of a first information report (FIR) on 17 September.

In response, district health officials launched an investigation, forming a three-member inquiry team led by the additional chief medical officer. On 18 September, the hospital's licence was temporarily suspended due to preliminary evidence of medical negligence.

Brajesh Pathak, the UP Deputy Chief Minister and Health Minister, has announced that the hospital administration will receive a notice under the Clinical Act, based on the initial findings of the investigation. He cautioned that if the hospital is found to have acted recklessly, it may face closure.

Wing Commander (retd) Manoj Muttu, the administrator of the Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Trust, has expressed the intention to challenge the suspension of the hospital's licence in court.

Muttu acknowledges the need for an inquiry into the incident and confirms that an FIR has already been lodged. However, the trust questions the justification of shutting down the entire hospital without providing an opportunity for explanation.

On the day of the incident (14 September), the hospital performed 12 surgeries, with approximately 10 operations occurring daily, primarily in orthopedics, general surgery, and gynecology.

Dr Anshuman Singh, the Chief Medical Officer of Amethi, explained that the hospital initially received a three-month notice to provide an explanation.

However, the decision to suspend the licence was made after preliminary evidence of negligence was discovered. The investigation revealed a failure to conduct necessary medical tests and a delay in transferring the patient to another hospital, which ultimately led to her tragic death.

Both doctors and the administration were found guilty of negligence, prompting the recommendation to revoke the hospital's licence.

Congress leader K L Sharma criticised the government's decision to close the hospital, emphasising that while the law should take its course, it is unfair to punish the entire organisation.

He underscored the hospital's long-standing service to the people of Amethi and urged that it should not be associated solely with the Congress party. Sharma expressed condolences to the family of the deceased woman and called for a non-political approach to the matter.

State Congress president Ajay Rai wrote a letter to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, urging the immediate withdrawal of the hospital's licence suspension.

Rai highlighted the essential medical services offered by the hospital and expressed hope that the Chief Minister would ensure fairness for the people of Amethi and the hospital's employees and doctors.

District Congress leaders echoed these sentiments, presenting a memorandum to the district administration, expressing their opposition to the suspension of the hospital's licence and calling for its revocation.