In an incident that highlighted the maladministration in a government hospital in the city, an old woman was forced to drag her husband on floor from the scanning room to the ward of the McGann Hospital after the staff denied to provide a wheelchair.

With the video footage of the incident going viral on social media, the hospital authorities have suspended three personnel including two nurses and a Group D employee on grounds of negligence.

Satyanarayan T.B., Medical Superintendent of McGann Hospital told The Hindu that the hospital had also formed a committee headed by District Surgeon to probe into the incident.

Amir Saab (74), a resident of Shivamogga, who is suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and hypertension, was admitted to the hospital on May 24. As his health condition worsened, doctors had recommended scanning of his heart and kidneys on May 31.

After the completion of the medical investigations, his wife Famida (65) requested the hospital staff to provide a stretcher or a wheelchair to take him back to the ward. However, the staff allegedly denied the request.

Fouziya Begum, daughter-in-law of the patient, said that her mother-in-law was forced to drag the patient for 50 metre from the scanning room to the ward. As a result, the patient had suffered abrasion wound on the elbow.

Previous incidents

May 2017, Anekal General Hospital: A man had to ride pillion on a bike with the body of his three-year-old son when he could not get a vehicle at the hospital

May 2017, Malur Government Hospital: A woman into advanced labour pain was referred to another hospital as the hospital lacked oxygen cylinders

October 2016, Aurad Taluk Hospital: A woman gave birth on the road after she was refused admission in the taluk hospital

December 2016, Hassan Instititute of Medical Sciences: Two-day-old baby stolen from a ward

October 2015, Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital: Three-day-old baby stolen from a ward