Can This be Called Death Due to Negligence of Authorities?
Port Blair, Oct. 15: Mohan Singh, a 49 year old policeman was posted at Baratang. Being in the Police Department, Mohan Singh did follow all protocols of COVID-19 and performed his duties as a corona warrior.
On 5th October 2020, Mohan Singh was taken to the Primary Health Centre at Baratang with signs and symptoms of COVID-19. Sources indicate that the Medical Officer at the Primary Health Centre had sent repeated requests to the Deputy Commissioner, North & Middle Andaman District to grant permission for COVID Rapid Test. It was only after five days of being admitted in the PHC, that permission for Rapid Test was granted by the DC N&M Andaman and the test was finally performed on 11th October 2020.
Though the rapid test turned out to be negative, the condition of Mohan Singh had worsened by then and he was finally referred to GB Pant Hospital for tests and treatment.
At GB Pant, the test confirmed that Mohan Singh was positive for corona virus and succumbed to the virus today.
The report on the death of Mohan Singh due to corona virus may not be much appealing or an eye opener to the authorities but the fact remains that Late Mohan Singh who served as one of the corona warriors was timely taken to the Primary Health Centre at Baratang after showing signs and symptoms of COVID-19. And the test was allowed only after five days???
While the District Administration South Andaman has been on war footing to contain the spread of COVID-19, which has been successful in many manners, can it be accepted that a patient (a corona warrior himself) was delayed for test only because the Authorities at DC N&M Andaman District realized it late? It’s time to re-think?