Daughter says after 60-year-old cracked skull, spine in fall in hospital loo on April 13, doctors didn’t operate on him till she could arrange for Rs 22,000 for surgery; he died on Wednesday, a day before scheduled operation
Ramdas Ambekar was admitted to Kandivli’s Shatabdi Hospital on April 13
A serious case of alleged medical negligence has surfaced at the government-run Shatabdi Hospital in Kandivli, where a 60-year-old deaf and mute patient, Ramdas Ambekar, died after suffering severe injuries from a fall in the hospital bathroom. The incident occurred shortly after his admission on the night of April 13 for breathing difficulties.
He was scheduled to undergo surgery on May 21, but passed away the day before on May 20 at 4.45 pm. According to sources, Ambekar sustained a deep head injury, a spinal fracture near the waist, and a dislocated leg due to the fall. Although he remained hospitalised for over a month, his family claims he was not given timely or appropriate treatment.
Family alleges negligence
Ambekar, a resident of Malwani in Malad, lived with his differently-abled wife, daughter, son-in-law, and grandchild. His daughter, Sakshi Ambekar, works in the private sector, while her husband is a transport driver. On April 13, Ambekar complained of breathing problems. With Sakshi and her husband away at the time, neighbours rushed him to Shatabdi Hospital, where the on-duty medical officer admitted him due to the seriousness of his condition. Sakshi, informed by neighbours, reached the hospital immediately and later informed her husband, who was in Solapur.
Sakshi Ambekar
“My father was admitted to the men’s ward. Since no male family member could hear or speak, I requested the doctors to allow me to stay with him, but they refused,” said Sakshi. “Later, when I inquired about his condition, the doctor told me he was stable. Like other patients' relatives, I waited outside in the passage. Around 4.30 am, the doctor called me and informed me that my father had fallen in the bathroom and sustained injuries. He even scolded me for not being with him. I reminded him that I had requested to stay, but was denied,” she added.
She alleged that after the fall, her father was bleeding from the head and was placed on a ventilator, with only cotton applied to the wound initially. “The doctors didn’t stitch the wound immediately because no staff was available to clean his hair. It was only around 11 am, when the cleaning staff arrived, that his hair was cleaned and stitches were administered,” she claimed.
Refused written referral
“To my shock, a doctor later suggested we shift my father to a better-equipped hospital, as Shatabdi lacked modern facilities. I asked for a written referral and the necessary documents to transfer him to Nair Hospital. The doctor refused and instead told me to write a note stating I was taking him at my own risk,” Sakshi recounted.
(From left) NGO activist Shyam Jhalke, Sakshi’s husband Abdul Kadir, and Sakshi Ambekar
She also stated that the Kandivli police contacted her and asked her to sign a document. “I accused the hospital of negligence, but they did not take my statement seriously.”
Later, she approached Shyam Jhalke, founder of the Bahujan Injustice Atrocity Eradication Action Committee, who intervened and spoke with both hospital authorities and the police. On the advice of a senior officer, Sakshi filed a written complaint on April 18 demanding action against the hospital. However, no action has been taken to date.
Delayed treatment
“My father received no treatment initially. It was only after pressure from Shyam Jhalke Sahab that the doctors conducted a CT scan and X-ray, which revealed a deep head injury and spinal fracture,” said Sakshi.
Financial strain
The hospital allegedly demanded Rs 22,000 for surgery. The family, unable to afford the cost, sought help. Some supporters contributed a cheque of Rs 8000 in the hospital’s name. Despite arrangements being made for the surgery scheduled the next day (Wednesday), Ambekar passed away the night before.