Baramulla: A 9-years-old girl writhing in pain with acute appendicitis was declared Covid-19 positive in Government Medical College (GMC) Hospital Baramulla on March 16, even when her tests came negative for the disease at a private hospital in Srinagar where she underwent appendectomy later on the same day.
Father of the patient — Naseer Ahmad Dar of Sherwani Colony Khawajabagh Baramulla, alleged that her daughter 9-years-old Saniya developed acute lower abdomen pain on March 16 afternoon and she was rushed to GMC Baramulla where doctors advised some tests and prescribed medicines.
“Doctor on duty also advised Covid-19 test. As per test report issued vide no. Lab-1D GMC/BLA/MICRO/H-22700 (RAT) conducted on 16 March, she was declared ‘Positive’. Following this the doctors refused to treat my daughter saying she was Covid positive – even though she was writhing with severe pain,” Dar said.
“Following refusal by doctors at GMC Baramulla to treat her, we shifted Saniya to Sheikh-ul-Alam hospital, a private nursing home in Srinagar, where doctors diagnosed her for acute appendicitis. Covid-19 test was also done there which came ‘Negative’. The doctors later performed an emergency surgery on her and the saved life of my daughter,” Dar said.
The family alleges that the Covid-19 test conducted at GMC Baramulla was “shown positive deliberately so as to avoid treatment to our critically ill daughter who needed emergency surgery.”
“We want investigation into the matter and stern action against the erring lab staff and doctors. Had my daughter not reached Srinagar hospital in time, she would have died in GMC and doctors would have termed it a Covid-19 death,” another family member Nazir Ahmad said.
The family on Monday approached the Principal GMC Baramulla, and Medical Superintendent, but they say that both officials failed to give any satisfactory reply to them.
“We have decided to file an FIR with police besides approach the court so that those responsible for playing with the life of our beloved daughter are punished under law,” Dar added.
When contacted, Principal GMC Baramulla Dr Ruby Reshi, said that she has received a written complaint from the family, and an inquiry into the matter has been ordered.
“We will see the facts and all angles will be examined. I assure the family that facts will prevail and justice will be done,” she added.
