Mangaluru: Two among the eleven persons who underwent heart surgery under Vajpayee Arogyashree scheme at Omega Hospital last week, died after they were discharged from the hospital. 

According to the police, Poovakka (69) and Haseena (10) underwent surgery in the private hospital and were discharged on Friday March 20. Haseena, who was treated for congenital heart disease died on Sunday March 22, while Poovakka, who had discomfort on Monday evening March 23, died on Tuesday morning.

The 11 persons were shortlisted for the free medical treatment under central government’s scheme, among many persons who attended a free health camp on March 10 at Arlapadavu, Puttur.

However, their decision proved costly, after two died following the surgery. In addition to it, at least four persons who underwent similar surgeries in the hospital too complained of heart pain. Ramakrishna Rao, district medical officer (DMO) instructed the doctors to shift them to another private hospital for better treatment.

Meanwhile, there was tension at the primary health centre in Arlapadavu near Puttur on Tuesday, following the death of two persons. The protestors demanded the doctors of Omega Hospital to come to the spot and blamed them of negligence. The police had to lathicharge to send the agitated people away.

The family persons of the deceased blamed the hospital for forcibly taking them for treatment. However, the hospital authorities refuted the allegations. Hospital’s official statement stated that their doctors conducted surgery carefully.

Issue raised in assembly

On Wednesday, Shakuntala Shetty, Puttur MLA raised the issue in the state assembly seeking answer from the health ministry. In reply, Health Minister U.T Kadher told the assembly that he had sent a team including director of ‘Arogya Shree Scheme’ to inquest case. Khader assured that action against those who found guilty.