Fortnight-old Nalasopara hospital disappears after patient dies

MUMBAI: Hours after a woman with fever died on Tuesday, the Nalasopara nursing home where she was admitted allegedly shut shop, and all medical staff fled. The police, after pacifying angry family members and locals, detained a doctor, Anilkumar Yadav, in the night for questioning. He is accused of abandoning the patient, Neetu Singh (35), in another nursing home in the locality before fleeing.

On Monday morning, Neetu, a mother of three, was admitted to Durgesh Hospital after she complained of fever. The hospital, opened just a fortnight ago, was chosen as it was close to where the woman lived. Her husband Narendra, who works for a textile company, was away on work in Patna.

Neetu's cousin Ranjit Singh told TOI that Dr Yadav admitted her saying she was fine but needed to be observed for a day. The hospital had three beds and a peon.

Around 6.30am on Tuesday, the family was shocked to learn that Dr Yadav personally took Neetu in an autorickshaw to another nursing home in the vicinity. This hospital refused to admit her, citing that her condition was bad. According to her family members, Dr Yadav abandoned the patient there and fled. By 9.30am the hospital declared her dead.

When Neetu's body was handed over to her family, they, along with locals, started demonstrating against medical negligence. The protest went on till evening. When they reached Durgesh Hospital, they saw its name board, on the second floor of an under-construction building, was missing. The hospital was shut and all equipment and beds had been moved out.

The police said Dr Yadav is being questioned and a case of negligence is likely to be filed against him. Neetu's body was taken to JJ hospital on Wednesday for a second autopsy. Police are waiting for the report.