Controversy at Sassoon Hospital Pune: Family Claims Patient Bit by Rat, Hospital Denies Allegations
Pune, 2nd April 2024: A tragic incident at state-government-run Sassoon General Hospital has sparked controversy as relatives of a patient allege that he was bitten by a rat while in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The patient, identified as Sagar Dilip Renuse, aged 30, passed away, leading to an inquiry committee being formed by the hospital administration.
Renuse was admitted to the hospital following a severe accident on March 15, where he sustained critical spinal injuries after crashing his bike while allegedly under the influence of alcohol. Despite undergoing surgery for his injuries and being placed on a ventilator on March 29, his condition deteriorated rapidly. Relatives claim that Renuse was bitten by a rat in the ICU on the morning of April 1, just hours before his demise.
Dean of the hospital, Vinayak Kale, stated, “Relatives complained that the patient was bitten by a rat in the intensive care unit on the morning of April 1. The patient died on the same night.”
However, hospital superintendent Dr. Ajay Taware countered these allegations, revealing that Renuse’s autopsy showed no signs of a rat bite. “It was revealed that he died due to severe spinal injury,” Dr. Taware stated. “No signs of being bitten by a rat were found on his body.”
The administration has further contested the claims, stating that Renuse, being on a ventilator, was unable to communicate. Additionally, it was discovered that Renuse had been recommended for a rabies vaccination.
Privately, some doctors at Sassoon Hospital have acknowledged the prevalent issue of rats within the premises, despite regular pest control efforts. The unsanitary conditions of the hospital have been cited as a contributing factor.
Dr Kale emphasized, “The patient concerned did not die from the rat bite. The post-mortem report revealed that he died due to severe spinal injuries. Relatives have filed a written complaint about the patient being bitten by a rat, and a committee will be formed to investigate the matter.”
