The Navi Mumbai resident who died of swine flu on Thursday was reportedly a victim of incorrect diagnosis and late treatment, as per details provided by doctors who treated him.
Nazrul Shaikh, 39, a resident of sector 27, Nerul, died of complications arising out of swine flu on August 27. A doctor in MGM Hospital, on condition of anonymity, told DNA that the patient was first admitted to a private clinic in Seawoods and brought to the hospital on August 23 after his condition worsened.
“He was complaining of breathlessness and chest pain. The report from the hospital where he was taken first said it was a query of malaria and acute respiratory distress syndrome. He needed a ventilator and had to be admitted here. We suspected swine flu and sent test samples to Mumbai. We were in touch with Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) authorities,” said the doctor.
When questioned why the patient was not transferred to a civic hospital despite showing swine flu symptoms, he said, “His condition was critical and we admitted him in an isolated ICU ward. He was here for three days. The reports confirming swine flu arrived the next day. NMMC told us to send him to DY Patil Hospital, but another day was lost as beds were not available there.” However, a doctor from DY Patil Hospital dismissed the allegation of beds not being available.
NMMC doctor Deepak Paropkari confirmed that MGM was asked to admit the patient as he was critical. “In suspected cases, private hospitals are allowed to collect and send samples. When swine flu was confirmed, we asked them to send the patient to Nerul,” he said.
