Bihar: Man who died of gunshot wound in Bihar hospital loses eye, doctors blame rats

The eye of a man who succumbed to gunshot wounds at the government hospital in Patna was found missing hours after his death; doctors blamed rats for eating away at the eye, and family members of the deceased also suspected foul play.

The state health department, which launched an investigation into the issue, suspended two nurses from duty on Sunday evening on charges of negligence.

Fantush Kumar, who was admitted to Nalanda Medical College and Hospital (NMCH) in Patna after he was shot by unidentified assailants on November 15, died of his injuries on Friday night.

Since an autopsy could not be performed at night, the body was kept in an intensive care bed. The autopsy was performed on Saturday morning.

“As the body was being brought from the morgue, we noticed that the left eye was missing and a surgical knife was found next to the body on the stretcher,” a family member said.

Family members alleged neglect and mistreatment, while some doctors suspected that mice may have gnawed away the eye.

Speaking to reporters, NMCH medical superintendent Binod Kumar Singh said, “A medical team has been constituted to investigate the matter. This is a serious problem and stringent action needs to be taken against those found guilty.” he said.

“A group of doctors suspects that mice may have gnawed the eye. All aspects of the incident are being investigated. We are also waiting for the autopsy report,” he said.

“How the eye was removed can be known only after the autopsy report is received. The hospital management has also filed a formal complaint in this regard with the Alamganj police station,” the medical examiner said. he said.

Speaking to PTI on Sunday, Station House Officer (SHO) of Alamganj police station, Rajiv Kumar, said: “A case has been registered based on a formal complaint filed by the hospital management. We are reviewing the CCTV footage of the hospital. We have also sought clarification from the doctors who conducted the autopsy. We have also sought an explanation of the deceased’s body.” “We are examining family members as well as other hospital employees.”

Relatives of the deceased have not made any complaints so far.

Meanwhile, the state health department suspended two nurses on charges of negligence following the incident.

“Although the matter is being investigated by a high-level committee as well as the police, based on initial findings, the department has decided to suspend two nurses who were on duty at the time of the reported incident. The order of suspension was taken due to negligence on the part of the nurses,” Health Minister Mangal Pandey told PTI. He said that this order was given.

However, the minister refused to provide detailed information about the nature of the negligence allegedly committed by the nurses and said the investigation by the medical team, as well as the police, should be completed.

Patna District Magistrate Chandrashekhar Singh said, “Strict action will be taken against the culprits. The district administration is monitoring the situation.”