In a distressing turn of events, the family of 17-year-old Faisal faced a harrowing ordeal at a hospital in the Kashmir valley.
Arriving at the SMHS hospital at approximately 11:30 A.M on Saturday, the family from Soiteng Srinagar said that they endured a prolonged wait as hospital staff conducted tests for nearly three hours.
“Despite the mandatory procedures, the family was left in the dark regarding Faisal’s condition until he was taken into the operating theater at 1:15 AM,” said a family member.
“Inside the theater, medical staff revealed that Faisal suffered from internal intestinal obstruction, necessitating urgent surgery, however, concerns arose when a ventilator, crucial for post-surgical care, was deemed unavailable,” they told The Kashmiriyat.
This forced the family to rely on manually pumping oxygen until morning.
They said that despite assurances of a ventilator by 11:30 AM, none materialized, leaving Faisal’s condition precarious.
After the surgery, Faisal remained unconscious until noon, further complicating his recovery. Attempts to secure a ventilator proved futile, with hospital authorities citing unavailability and prioritization of other patients.
“Faisal’s transfer to ward number 16 offered little respite, as his condition rapidly deteriorated upon leaving life support,” they claimed.
The family’s distress deepened as medical staff neglected Faisal’s worsening condition, even as he regained consciousness.
Their pleas for intervention fell on deaf ears, with medical personnel offering excuses and evading responsibility.
“Despite the hospital’s assurances, the lack of basic equipment, including a ventilator is a systematic failure in patient care,” the family said, adding that, Faisal’s condition continued to deteriorate, culminating in his untimely demise.
In the aftermath of Faisal’s death, the family’s pursuit of justice encountered further obstacles, as hospital staff attempted to confiscate medical records and evade accountability, the family claimed.