Video sparks action against staff of Jhansi med college

Jhansi: Five supporting staff of Jhansi medical college faced disciplinary action on Tuesday after a video capturing a distressing scene at the college went viral. The footage showed a critically ill woman, Shakuntala Devi from the Chhatarpur neighbouring district in MP being shifted on a stretcher by her husband Raju while her nine-year-old son Saurabh walked behind holding the blood transfusion bag.

The incident occurred a couple of days ago. Shakuntala Devi, who was admitted with severe intestinal ailments, required a blood transfusion due to anaemia. During her treatment, the doctors recommended an X-ray for which she was to be taken to the radiology department. With no supporting staff available to assist, the patient's husband Raju was left to pull the stretcher and Saurabh was asked to manage the transfusion bag.

The people in the medical college ward were taken aback by the sight of the father and son shifting the patients for her X-ray. A bystander quickly recorded the scene and circulated it online, prompting outrage. In response, the medical college authorities terminated the services of an outsourced ward boy and a nurse. Additionally, the salaries of two staff nurses were withheld, with explanations demanded from them, and another ward boy was suspended.

Principal of the medical college Dr Mayank Singh confirmed these actions, stating, "One ward boy has been suspended, services of two outsourced employees including a nurse and a ward boy have been terminated, and a show cause notice issued to two nursing staff while their salaries have been withheld in this matter."