Begusarai, Aug 8: The Bihar government has ordered an inquiry into the treatment of a road accident victim at a government hospital in Begusarai after a video showing his fractured leg supported with a cardboard sheet surfaced on social media and triggered public concern.
The man, identified as 28-year-old Kunal Kumar of Maheshwara village, was injured in a road accident near Harsain Bridge on August 3. He was initially taken to Manjhaul Sub-Divisional Hospital, where doctors suspected a fracture in his right leg.
A video circulated online on August 6 showed Kumar lying on a hospital bed with his injured leg secured with a cardboard sheet and bandages. The footage prompted questions over the availability of medical equipment and specialist services at the hospital.
Begusarai District Magistrate Srikant Shastri said the Manjhaul Sub-Divisional Officer had been asked to investigate the matter and submit a report.Begusarai Civil Surgeon Dr Ashok Kumar said an inquiry had also been ordered and appropriate action would follow if any negligence was established.
Hospital officials, however, said the cardboard was used as a temporary splint to immobilise the injured limb before the patient could be transferred to a better-equipped facility.Dr Abhinay Priyadarshi, in charge of the Manjhaul hospital, said no orthopaedic specialist or dresser was available when Kumar arrived. He said medical staff therefore used a rigid cardboard sheet to stabilise the injured leg before referring him to Begusarai Sadar Hospital.
Medical splints are generally used to restrict movement of an injured body part and provide temporary support in cases such as fractures. Hospital officials said that when a standard splint is unavailable, suitable rigid material may be used as an emergency measure.
Hospital manager Gauri Shankar acknowledged shortages of orthopaedic specialists and some essential equipment at the facility, including conventional fracture splints. He said staff were continuing to provide treatment with the resources available.
Kumar’s family, meanwhile, alleged that the hospital lacked adequate facilities for managing his fracture and that the cardboard support was used because proper equipment was unavailable.
The government inquiry is expected to examine the circumstances in which the temporary splint was used, the availability of medical personnel and equipment at the hospital, and whether any lapse occurred in the patient’s treatment.Officials said action would be taken if the investigation establishes negligence or dereliction of duty.
