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In a disturbing incident reported from Mahoba district of Uttar Pradesh, a case of serious medical negligence has come to light at the district hospital. A man who had consumed poison was allegedly administered a slurry made from regular coal, which worsened his condition and further endangered his life.
The patient, identified as Mangal Prajapati, a resident of Gehra village under the jurisdiction of Kabrai police station, was brought to the hospital after allegedly attempting suicide over a financial dispute with his wife. According to reports, he first tried to hang himself, and when that failed, he consumed poison. He was then rushed to the emergency department of the Mahoba District Hospital.
The emergency department was under the supervision of Dr. Deepak Kumar during the time of admission. Due to the unavailability of activated charcoal—an essential treatment in poisoning cases—Dr. Kumar reportedly instructed the staff to administer a slurry made from regular coal. Following this, the patient’s condition deteriorated, necessitating a referral to a higher medical center for proper care.
The National Poisons Information Centre (NPIC) advises emergency caregivers to administer activated charcoal orally in poisoning cases, as it binds to toxins in the gastrointestinal tract and prevents their absorption. Activated charcoal is considered safe and effective, with minimal side effects. However, regular coal is not a substitute, as it may contain harmful chemicals and additives, posing additional health risks.
The family is outraged by the incident and is demanding strict legal action against the doctor and the hospital.
What kind of treatment is this? The doctor should have administered proper medication to reduce the impact of the poison. Instead, they gave him coal, putting his life in danger.
Mahesh Prajapati, Relative of the Patient
When questioned about the incident, Dr. Kumar defended his decision, stating, “I thought it could be beneficial.” Meanwhile, Dr. Agrawal, the Chief Medical Superintendent, has refrained from making any comments regarding the matter.
This incident underscores a deeper issue within India’s public healthcare system. At a time when global healthcare is advancing rapidly with the integration of artificial intelligence and evidence-based practices, such outdated and dangerous methods are still being employed in our government hospitals. The fact that activated charcoal—one of the most basic and cost-effective emergency treatments—was unavailable in a district hospital where poisoning cases are not uncommon, is a cause for serious concern.
(Input From Various Sources)
(Rehash/Dr. Shubham Halingali/MSM)
