JAIPUR: A 25-year-old man, mistakenly declared dead by doctors in Rajasthan's Jhunjhunu, was found alive during his cremation but tragically succumbed to his condition 12 hours later while being treated at SMS Hospital in Jaipur.
The deceased identified as Rohitash, was an orphan residing at the Maa Sewa Sansthan shelter home in Bagad, Jhunjhunu district. On Thursday afternoon, he fell ill and was admitted to the emergency ward of Bhagwan Das Khetan (BDK) Hospital, the largest government hospital in the district. Within minutes of his arrival, doctors declared him dead and sent his body to the mortuary, where it was kept in a deep freezer for two hours.
At around 5 pm, as preparations for his final rites were underway at the crematorium, those present were stunned to see movement in his body. Realising he was alive, they immediately rushed him back to BDK Hospital. From there, he was referred to SMS Hospital in Jaipur for advanced care. Despite medical efforts, Rohitash passed away 12 hours later.
Following the incident, the district administration suspended three doctors from BDK Hospital, citing gross negligence. They are Dr. Yogesh Kumar Jakhar who was the first to see the patient in the emergency and the one who declared him dead. Dr. Yogesh Kumar Jakhar is posted as a Medical Officer (Medicine), at Community Health Center, Mandrela. Currently, he is on deputation in BDK Hospital, Jhunjhunu.
The other doctor was Dr. Navneet Meel who completed the formalities of post mortem of the patient while he was still alive. It came to light that Dr. Meel did the post-mortem on the complaint of Bagad Police and after that Rohitash was handed over to the committee members declaring him dead.
The third doctor in the incident was Dr. Sandeep Pachar who is the PMO and dermatologist of BDK Hospital. Sources say he suppressed the matter till late night. No senior officer was even informed. The collector said that such a big incident happened, the PMO did not give any information. The SP first told him. After this, when he asked the PMO, then he told.
The District Collector termed the case a severe lapse in medical judgment and ordered an inquiry to understand how such a mistake could occur.
Adding to the controversy, protests erupted on Friday after the suspended doctors were transferred to Barmer and Jaisalmer. Social and political activists from the region objected, arguing that their districts should not be treated as punitive postings for erring officials. They demanded that the guilty be posted in the state capital, Jaipur, instead of being sent to rural areas.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage, drawing attention to the quality of medical care and accountability in government hospitals.