This Article is From Sep 18, 2015

Treated for Stomach Ache in 2 Hospitals, 3-Year-old Dies of Dengue

New Delhi: Two days ago, three-year-old Tanya could be seen playing in the courtyard of her house in a village in south Delhi.

On Wednesday night, she became the third child to die of dengue in the capital, where 15 people have died of the disease this season.

Tanya's family alleges that she was treated in two different hospitals but none could detect that she had dengue. Her parents are left with a stack of hospital documents that reveal a pattern of criminal negligence.

By the time she was taken to a third hospital, she had very high fever and it was too late, her parents allege.

Tanya had a fever and stomach ache when she was taken to hospital on Monday. A local clinic tested her for dengue and said her platelet count was fine.

The next day, when her condition worsened, her parents took her to the clinic again. The clinic claims they wrote on prescription for a dengue test and informed the parents. The parents, however, say they were not informed about the dengue test.

The family then took her to a Delhi government hospital where instead of treating the girl for dengue, a doctor gave her an injection for gastric trouble.

"They said that she only has a little acidity and gas," said a family member.

Dr Ramesh Chugh, who attended to Tanya, said: "When she came here she did not have any signs of dengue, no fever but we followed protocol for fever. We kept her under observation and when she was feeling better sent her home."

When Tanya's health did not improve, she was taken to another hospital, Hamdard, where again she was given an injection for stomach pain.

The child was sinking fast when she was taken to the Saket City hospital, where she died.

There has been anger over death of two boys last week who were allegedly refused treatment by several hospitals. After Avinash Rout, 7, died, his parents committed suicide.

The deaths jolted the government into action and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal warned of action against hospitals that turned away patients or were negligent.
.