In a press conference which was held at her home, Dr Kafeel Khan’s wife has alleged that her husband and other doctors are being denied proper medical care.

Dr Kafeel Khan shot to prominence for the role he played in trying to save dying children in Uttar Pradesh’s BRD Medical College hospital last year. He procured oxygen cylinders from private homes and spent his own money to take hold of the situation. “You think by getting cylinders from outside you have saved lives and are a hero, we will see about that,” Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had to the young doctor during his visit to the hospital. Dr Khan was one of the persons arrested for the tragedy where several children died due to shortage of oxygen supply. 

Dr Khan’s wife Dr Shabistan Khan said that even as her husband’s health kept on deteriorating, jail authorities did not bother to give him proper medical attention. She even said that the doctors lodged in the jail may be killed.

My husband's health is deteriorating,doctor said that his case has to referred to Lucknow but it wasn't done, I fear for my husband's life. Govt is framing people to save itself: Wife of Dr.Kafeel Khan who was charged with attempt to murder over Gorakhpur hospital children deaths pic.twitter.com/XLsXYcr2ka

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 17, 2018

In a statement given to a news agency on Tuesday, wife of Dr Khan said, “My husband’s health is deteriorating. Doctors have said that the case must be referred to Lucknow, but it the jail administration is not executing the orders. I fear for my husband’s life.”

She said that Dr Kafeel Khan suffered a heart stroke on March 29, but proper treatment was not provided to him. Other doctors too have been suffering due to allegedly not receiving required medical attention.

Dr Shabistan said, “The former BRD Medical College principal, Dr Rajiv Mishra, is suffering from liver disease and diabetes but he is also not getting proper medical attention.” She added, “I met Dr Rajiv. He has turned pale and lost weight. My husband has also lost weight and they need good treatment.”

Another accused, Dr Purnima Shukla, who is suffering hairline fracture has also not been allegedly provided with appropriate medical attention.

Saying that no justice has been delivered even after eight months, Dr Shabistan claimed that the “doctors have been made scapegoats” for the tragedy even though the “big fish” were responsible.

She held the state government’s medical department responsible for allegedly not releasing funds for the oxygen cylinder supplying company.

Jail senior superintendent told Business Standard that Dr Kafeel had a few health problems and that the prison’s cardiologist did a check-up after which he prescribed some medicine. He also said that the police authorities have sought security personnel to accompany Dr Kafeel for visits to doctors outside.

Talking about the health conditions of other doctors, he said that Dr Purnima Shukla hurt herself after she slipped while going to the bathroom and that “the condition of Dr Rajiv and Dr Purnima is improving.”

Background

More than 70 children lost their lives in a tragic incident of medical mismanagement in Baba Raghav Das (BRD) Medical College Hospital in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh (UP) in August last year.

Most deaths were reported from the neonatal and encephalitis wards.

The deaths were reportedly caused due to non-payment of outstanding accumulated dues worth Rs 68 lakh that the hospital owed to Pushpa Sales, the sole supplier of liquid oxygen to the hospital. Dues remained even after the supplier intimated the hospital and the hospital, in turn, intimated the government several times of the shortage. 

On the night of August 10, it was Dr Khan who decided to take control of the situation by driving to private homes to borrow oxygen cylinders, reported DNA. He even paid Rs 10,000 to an oxygen supplier out of his own pocket, reported CNN-News18.

Khan was removed from his position on Sunday, August 13, on charges of “dereliction of duty” and for “carrying out private practice”.

Also read:

Does Anyone Remember Dr Kafeel, The ‘Hero’ Who Saved Children In Gorakhpur? In Jail Without Bail