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A clean chit has been given to the Shri Paras Hospital of Agra which made national headlines earlier this month after a controversial video of the hospital’s owner went viral on social media platforms. The video appeared to show the owner admitting to putting the lives of COVID-19 patients at risk by cutting the supply of medical oxygen for five minutes in a ‘mock drill’ leading to the death of 22 patients. Following the allegations, the Agra district administration had sealed the hospital and ordered a probe.
However, a four-membered committee formed in the aftermath has cleared the hospital of any wrongdoing. The committee found that all patients had been treated in accordance with COVID-19 protocols. Complete details of oxygen status and supply have been given by the hospital.
“The oxygen supply of any patient was not interrupted. Patients who died had comorbidities and (hence died) because of their critical condition,” the committee said in its report. According to the report, 16 patients died in the hospital on April 26, the date on which it was alleged to have cut oxygen supply as part of an experiment.
The committee did find that the hospital was spreading fake news when COVID-19 cases were at a peak. According to the report, even when the Shri Paras hospital had enough oxygen available, it discharged patients on basis of lack of medical oxygen. According to officials, the hospital will be punished under the Epidemic act for spreading fake news.
Meanwhile, the report also mentioned the statement of the hospital’s owner, Dr Jain. He alleged that not all words heard in the video were said by him and that someone used the video to blackmail him. The committee said that the owner’s allegations would be separately investigated by the police.