Thane: 80-year-old man turned away from hospital, dies

THANE: An 80-year-old Covid-19 positive patient from Thane died allegedly due to lack of timely medical attention after a private hospital in Mumbra refused to admit him late on Monday. The deceased's son works in Thane Municipal Corporation.
Thane municipal chief Vijay Singhal initiated a probe in the matter after mayor Naresh Mhaske wrote to him anout it.Singhal said strict action will be taken against the hospital, if found guilty.
The 80-year-old was admitted in a nursing home after he complained of breathlessness. When he tested positive, the family called the Covid control room and approached Mhaske, who arranged a bed at the Mumbra hospital. "An ambulance took him to the hospital, but they refused to admit him," said his grandson. As the family pleaded with the hospital staffers, the ambulance driver threatened to leave as the oxygen level in the vehicle was low. The family asked the driver to take him to a primary hospital, but he died en route.