Cardboard splint shocks hospital patients

A patient with a fractured leg was allegedly provided a cardboard splint instead of a plaster cast at the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation's (KDMC) Rukminibai Hospital. This incident has ignited fresh concerns regarding patient care at the civic-run facility.

Following an initial inquiry, sanitation worker Mukesh Pandit was suspended. He is accused of demanding Rs 400 from the patient's family for arranging plaster materials. KDMC health officer Dr. Deepa Shukla confirmed that adequate plaster material was available and a departmental inquiry has been initiated against Pandit.

Ram Soni, 54, was admitted on Thursday with a leg injury confirmed by X-ray to be a fracture requiring plastering. His son alleged that hospital staff suggested cardboard as a temporary support and offered to arrange the necessary four plaster rolls at a reduced price if purchased from outside.

Sources within the hospital indicated that an orthopaedic surgeon had examined Mr. Soni, advised plastering, and suggested the patient return the following day. Relatives' insistence on immediate treatment reportedly led to the use of a cardboard splint as a temporary measure, despite over 300 plaster rolls being in stock.

This incident occurs less than a month after another alleged negligence case at Rukminibai Hospital, involving a young child who reportedly needed surgery after a broken injection needle was left in his back. MNS corporator Ganesh Landge has demanded essential medical supplies be ensured in KDMC hospitals within seven days or face protests.