Doctors are often referred to as second gods. When a patient’s health worsens, family members rush to medical centres, hoping the doctor’s treatment will bring recovery. However, a troubling incident has unfolded at the main hospital in Boudh district.
Dr Shubham Choudhury grew angry when family members brought a sick elderly man to the hospital in the middle of the night. The family requested that the doctor treat the patient, showing him the previous prescription. Instead, Dr Choudhury angrily tore up the prescription and reportedly abused the family using harsh language. The doctor admitted to tearing the prescription.
The patient’s family explained that 60-year-old Satish Patnaik from Boudh Bagichasahi had been admitted to the hospital less than three days ago after falling ill, and after recovering, he returned home. However, around 11:00 p.m. the following night, Satish fell ill again and his family rushed him back to the hospital. They asked the doctor to check his blood pressure and continue treatment based on the earlier prescription. In response, Dr. Choudhury, angered, refused to provide the blood pressure medication and tore up the prescription, stating it was not valid for the night.
The doctor threatened to physically harm the patient and his relatives, insisting that it was too late to check the patient’s blood pressure. Security guards then escorted the family out of the hospital. The family claimed that the hospital locked them out for some time before forcing them to leave.
Tensions rose on the hospital premises, but the situation eventually calmed down when a senior doctor from the hospital examined the patient and admitted him for treatment.
Ani, the daughter of Satish Patnaik, said, “We brought my father to the hospital for treatment. But Dr. Shubham Choudhury treated my father harshly, even threatening to slap us. He tore up the prescription into three parts and ordered us to leave. If doctors behave like this, where are we supposed to take our patients for care? If a doctor can tear up a prescription, who will provide the treatment?” She urged the Chief Minister to take strict action.
Dr. Shubham Choudhury explained, “I had prescribed blood pressure medication for the patient. However, he hadn’t taken the medication or followed the prescribed treatment. When the family came last night asking for blood pressure medication, I became frustrated and tore up the prescription. The family then reacted angrily and abused me. I have informed the relevant authorities about the incident via email.”