Could not to be airlifted, 68 year old patient with post-COVID complication dies of cardiac arrest at SMCH

Silchar, June 1: In a tragic development, 68- year old patient admitted at Silchar Medical College and Hospital (SMCH) with post-COVID complications who could not be airlifted to AMRI Bhubaneswar for better treatment as desired by the patient's family passed away due to cardiac arrest after being brought back to SMCH from the airport following deterioration of his health at the airport, sources said.

Dr Bhaskar Gupta, Vice Principal of SMCH informed the media that "the patient named PK Misra with lung infection has a post COVID symptom was brought back from the airport with a 75 percent dip in his oxygen level and admitted again to the SMCH at 5:20 pm. However, he suffered a cardiac arrest and passed away at 6:20 pm." Dr Gupta added to inform that Misra was admitted with COVID complications on May 5. He was shifted in the ICU as he had developed severe COVID symptoms.

However, on May 10 when his RTPCR test yielded negative result, he was shifted to central ICU because his lung had compromised and he became oxygen dependent. Sources said that at around 3 pm, amidst the statewide partial lockdown, arrangements were made by the District Administration and police and family members of the patient took the patient from SMCH to the Silchar airport through a green corridor. However, credible sources at the airport informed that the medical staff in the air ambulance had checked the health condition of the patient and suggested not to airlift the patient following which the patient was headed back to the SMCH.

Traffic sources informed that reverse green corridor was made for easy facilitation of the patient back to the SMCH. On the other hand, it may be mentioned that Deputy Commissioner Keerthi Jalli has issued an order on May 31 stating that the patient who is under treatment at ICU bed no.2 at for post COVID complication at the SMCH is granted "No Objection Certificate" and is allowed by the District Administration to shift him to Bhubaneswar, Odhisha by air ambulance as desired by the daughter of the patient vide an email dated May30, 2021. The order further said "the expenses are being borne by the patient's family who is also making the choice of shifting the patient despite medical advice from SMCH, taking the onus of entire responsibility knowing the condition of the patient may deteriorate after removing from ICU services of SMCH against medical advice.

The air ambulance is granted the required permission to land and fly back to and from Silchar airport on May 31 to Bhubaneswar." However, the Deputy Commissioner on Tuesday informed that event though the permission was granted for Monday, but due to inclement weather it is scheduled for Tuesday. The Air ambulance had also agreed to transfer the patient.