13-Year-Old Lightning Strike Victim Dies After 2-Hour Treatment Delay in Madhya Pradesh Hospital

Manish Sahu's grandmother was forced to hold his IV drip bottle for hours as the hospital failed to provide proper care.

Rewa:

While the Chhindwara toxic cough syrup tragedy continues to expose significant flaws in Madhya Pradesh's healthcare system, another distressing case of medical negligence has emerged from Rewa's Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital.

A 13-year-old boy named Manish Sahu, who had been struck by lightning in Mahoba, struggled for his life not only against severe burns but also against a dysfunctional medical system that forced his family to wander through hospital corridors while manually holding his IV drip.

Initially admitted to Panna District Hospital on August 30, Manish showed temporary improvement before his condition deteriorated rapidly. He was subsequently referred in critical condition to Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital, one of the largest government medical facilities in the state.

Upon arrival, instead of receiving immediate care, Manish's desperate family was reportedly redirected multiple times between different wards. They were shuttled from the burn unit to the emergency department and then to ward number seven, all while carrying the boy's stretcher and IV equipment, pleading for admission.

The hospital took more than two hours to commence treatment for the critically injured child. Throughout this ordeal, Manish's elderly grandmother was forced to stand for hours, holding his IV drip bottle with shaking hands as hospital staff appeared indifferent to their plight.

Despite fighting for nearly a month, Manish ultimately succumbed to his injuries.

An internal hospital report has confirmed the two-hour delay in Manish's treatment, attributing it to "lack of coordination" between departments. Nevertheless, hospital authorities continue to avoid taking responsibility.

Dr. Rahul Mishra, Superintendent of Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital, stated, "We see patients like this every day. Sometimes they come with drips or other equipment already attached. It takes time to bring them to the right place in a large hospital. We provide full treatment capacity."

Dr. Bajaj, Head of the Pediatrics Department, added, "The boy was struck by lightning and suffered deep burns. He was treated in our department for two days, but his condition was extremely critical. Despite all efforts, we could not save him."