FIR against COVID-19 patient, two doctors in Silvassa

Silvassa: A case of negligence has been filed against two doctors and a COVID-19 patient in Silvassa for allegedly concealing the illness of the patient. 

The complaint has been filed by the additional medical superintendent of Vinoba Bhave Civil Hospital (VBCH).

Vijaysinh Rathore had travelled to Mumbai and returned home on March 15. After experiencing flu-like symptoms, Rathore consulted his private physician Dr Hemant Shah of Vardhman Hospital and Dr Krishna Parmar of VBCH, Silvassa. They both treated the patient and did not alert health officials about him being a suspect COVID-19 patient. Instead, they referred him to a private hospital in Mumbai where he tested positive on April 6.

An FIR has been lodged for negligence against the two doctors and Rathore by the additional medical superintendent of VBCH, Dr Sanjay Verma.

Dr Verma stated, “The private physician and the civil hospital doctor hid the illness of the patient. As a result, the Silvassa police have filed a case against the doctors and the COVID-19 patient under Sections 269, 270, 271, Section 188 (IPC) and Section 51-B (DMA,2005).”

He added: “The primary investigation has revealed that Dr Krishna Parmar is Rathore’s relative. The doctors will be arrested after they finish their 14-day home quarantine.”

Moreover, Dadra and Nagar Haveli health teams have begun a door-to-door survey of residents of Naroli village. The patient’s family members including doctors and staff of Vardhman Hospital have also been home quarantined.