New Delhi, 22 November 2024: In a shocking incident in Rajasthan Jhunjhunu district, a 25-year-old man declared dead by medical professionals showed signs of life while lying on the pyre moments before his final rites were to commence. The startling turn of events led to the suspension of four doctors, including the principal medical officer, as authorities investigated the alarming lapse in medical judgment.
The man, identified as Rohitash, was an orphan with hearing and speech impairments who lived in an orphanage. He had been admitted to the BDK hospital in Jhunjhunu after suffering from health complications. On Thursday around 2 p.m., doctors at the hospital declared him dead, and his body was subsequently moved to the hospital’s mortuary.
Following the completion of formalities, Rohitash’s body was transported to the cremation ground for his last rites. However, just before the cremation process began, those present at the ceremony noticed that Rohitash was breathing and moving on the pyre. Alarmed and unsure of what to do, the attendees immediately called for an ambulance, which rushed him back to the district hospital.
He is now undergoing treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU) of the hospital, where his condition has been reported as stable.
Swift Action Against Medical Negligence
The incident has raised serious concerns about the accuracy of medical procedures and the competence of the hospital staff involved. The District Collector, Ramavtar Meena, took swift action, suspending four medical professionals, including the principal medical officer and three doctors responsible for handling Rohitash’s case.
“This is a matter of grave negligence. A human life was almost lost due to this unacceptable mistake. We have taken immediate action against the medical personnel involved, and an investigation is underway,” the District Collector stated.
The hospital also convened an urgent meeting of its medical officers, chaired by Dr. Sandeep Pachar, to discuss the lapses in protocol and the steps needed to ensure such an incident is never repeated.
Details of the Patient
Rohitash, who has lived in an orphanage for most of his life, faced additional challenges as he is both deaf and mute. After falling ill, he was taken to the BDK hospital, where he was declared dead without proper observation or secondary confirmation, as per initial reports.
The negligence became evident when Rohitash displayed clear signs of life on the cremation pyre, leaving the community in disbelief. Eyewitnesses described their shock and fear upon seeing his body moving and his chest rising and falling as he breathed.
Further Investigations and Public Outcry
The Social Justice Department, led by Deputy Director Pawan Poonia, and Tehsildar Mahendra Mund, has also stepped in to oversee the matter. Their involvement highlights the seriousness of the situation and the need for accountability.
This incident has sparked a broader discussion about the quality of medical care in the region. Many locals have expressed outrage over the incident, demanding stricter protocols for declaring deaths and more stringent accountability for negligent medical practices.
This case underscores the critical importance of proper medical evaluation and the grave consequences of negligence. While swift action has been taken against the doctors involved, the incident serves as a wake-up call for hospitals and healthcare providers to review and strengthen their procedures.
For now, Rohitash’s survival offers a glimmer of hope in an otherwise alarming story of medical failure. His stable condition is a relief to the community, but the memory of this near-tragic mistake will likely linger, serving as a grim reminder of the high stakes in medical care.
