LNJP Hospital clarifies after shocking videos show dead bodies lying on ground, patients left unattended
Delhi's COVID-designated Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital has surrounded itself with controversy after several videos shot inside the hospital premises showed dead bodies of patients lying on the floor inside the wards. The videos, that were shot by India TV reporters also showed how some elderly patients were left unattended even as they cried for help. The disturbing visuals at LNJP Hospital have shown the medical staff had not put any saline drip on the beds of the patients. Even as cameras were inside for quite sometime, no health official, doctor or nurse could be spotted during the period.
Following the controversy surrounding the videos, India TV held an EXCLUSIVE conversation with Dr Suresh Kumar, Medical Superintendent at LNJP hospital on Thursday, and sought clarification on the condition of the hospital.
On being questioned about the visuals showing the dead body of a patient under the bed in a naked condition, Dr Suresh Kumar said the video was shot after the death of the patient.
"The clothes of the patient were removed for chest pumping, however, the patient could not be saved," Kumar said, adding "his body slipped off the hospital bed and the video was shot at the same moment."
Refuting the claims on the bad condition of LNJP Hospital, Dr Suresh Kumar said, "With have a large number of patients at LNJP hospital and so many have recovered successfully. Videos that show patients lying on the ground have been shot at different time period."
Commenting on why dead bodies were lying unattended, Dr Suresh Kumar said it usually takes an hour to disinfect the dead bodies and send it to the mortuary. The videos were shot during this while, he said.
On being questioned about the generic protocol which is followed at LNJP hospital, Dr Suresh Kumar said, "we identify the oxygen level of patients that come for admission to the emergency. We shift patients to the ICU or to general wards depending upon various parameters."
"We have three types of care process, each different for mild, moderate and severe cases. At present we have received 75 new ventilators at the hospital and we are taking care of the patients," Dr Suresh Kumar said.
Explaining further, Dr Suresh Kumar said our nurses and doctors work for 8 hours a day and there are adequate medical staff members in all wards.
Even on one visual showing a dead body lying on the hospital bed, Dr Suresh Kumar said, "the patient is very much alive and his temperature was normal."
Pictures that were shot inside the LNJP Hospital in Delhi speak contrary to what the Delhi government actually claims. On Wednesday, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had said nearly 1.5 lakh beds will be required in Delhi by July 31, as more people from other states will enter the national capital to receive treatment for COVID-19.
ALSO READ | Exclusive: Horrific scenes emerge from Delhi's LNJP hospital; patients unattended, bodies in waiting area
