In a case of identity mix-up because of hospital blunder, a 75-year-old Covid-19 patient in the North 24 Parganas District was declared dead last week, & his family cremated another man’s body.
Shibdas Banerjee was admitted to Balrampur Basu Hospital in Khardah on Nov 4, & was declared dead on Nov 13. On Friday, Banerjee’s family was told that he was alive while they were preparing for his “shraddha” ceremony.
A 4-Member inquiry committee was set up following the incident & the district health department initiated a probe. “The probe report has been sent to the state health department & necessary action will be taken,” said district Chief Medical Officer of Health Tapas Roy.
According to officials, the body that was cremated by Banerjee’s son Sanjib was that of 75-year-old Mohinimohan Mukherjee. He was also admitted at Khardah hospital the same day as Banerjee. On Nov 7, he was transferred to a COVID hospital in Barasat. However, the Khardah hospital sent the Barasat facility Banerjee’s medical reports, resulting in the mix-up.
When Mukherjee died, Barasat hospital officials informed Banerjee’s family & handed over the body to them. The family saw the body from a distance, & it was wrapped in protective layers as is mandated in case of Covid deaths. As a result, they did not realise they were cremating the body of a stranger.
After Banerjee recovered on Friday, the hospital staff called Mukherjee’s family, saying he was ready to be discharged. When they saw a different man, they raised an alarm & the Khardah hospital’s blunder came to light.
Banerjee’s family was then informed that he was still alive. The family arrived at the hospital late at night & took him home.
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