Family claims 85 units of O-positive blood were available at Raipur District Hospital, but donor requirement delayed transfusion for 36 hours.
Raipur (Economy India): The death of a 22-year-old sickle cell disease patient at Raipur District Hospital has sparked serious concerns over blood bank management and emergency healthcare procedures in Chhattisgarh.
The deceased, identified as Deepika, a resident of Maroda village, was admitted to the district hospital on the night of May 30 in critical condition. According to her family, doctors informed them that she urgently required a blood transfusion due to severe anemia.
However, despite the reported availability of 85 units of O-positive blood in the hospital’s blood bank, the family alleges that blood was not provided immediately because they were asked to arrange a donor first.
Deepika’s father, Manuram, claims he spent nearly 36 hours searching for a donor while his daughter’s condition continued to deteriorate. She later died during treatment.
Allegations Raise Questions About Blood Bank Protocols
According to the family, the blood bank staff insisted on an exchange donor before releasing blood, even though sufficient stock was reportedly available.
The case has attracted attention because health authorities have previously issued guidelines stating that patients suffering from conditions such as sickle cell disease, thalassemia, and hemophilia should receive blood in emergency situations without the mandatory requirement of an exchange donor.
Healthcare experts note that timely blood transfusion is often critical for patients experiencing severe complications related to sickle cell disease.
The incident has therefore raised questions about whether established protocols were followed and whether administrative procedures contributed to treatment delays.
Concerns Over Emergency Treatment
The family has also alleged lapses in the patient’s initial treatment.
According to hospital protocols, critically ill patients are generally first assessed and stabilized in the casualty or emergency unit before being shifted to a specialized ward.
However, family members claim that Deepika was admitted directly to the female ward after arriving at the hospital late at night.
Her father alleges that after initial tests confirmed low blood levels and the need for transfusion, no specialist doctor regularly monitored her condition.
Questions Over Specialist Consultation
Hospital procedures generally require the attending physician to seek consultation from relevant specialists when a patient presents with a serious medical condition.
Sources familiar with the matter indicate that it remains unclear whether a specialist was called promptly after doctors became aware that Deepika was suffering from sickle cell disease.
Investigators and healthcare observers are seeking clarity on whether specialist intervention was requested and how treatment decisions were made during the patient’s hospitalization.
ICU Transfer Came Hours Before Death
According to the family, doctors became aware of Deepika’s sickle cell condition on Sunday morning.
Despite her worsening health, they allege that she was not shifted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for several more hours.
Family members claim that she was transferred to the ICU only after her condition became extremely critical and died shortly afterward.
The sequence of events has led to calls for a detailed review of the hospital’s emergency response and patient management practices.
Hospital Administration Responds
Responding to the allegations, Civil Surgeon Dr. Ashishan Minj stated that doctors attended to Deepika multiple times during her hospitalization.
According to the hospital administration, medical staff examined the patient on eight occasions and provided necessary treatment as per clinical requirements.
However, questions regarding blood availability, donor requirements, and the timing of critical interventions continue to be discussed by healthcare experts and patient rights advocates.
Calls for Investigation
The incident has triggered demands for an independent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Deepika’s death.
Public health advocates argue that the case highlights broader concerns regarding access to emergency blood transfusions, hospital accountability, and healthcare delivery in government medical facilities.
Experts say a transparent investigation will be essential to determine whether any procedural lapses occurred and to ensure that similar incidents do not happen in the future.
(economy India)
