A mob vandalized Lumbini Zonal Hospital (LZH) and two dozen other private clinics and set ablaze an ambulance, alleging that a patient was reportedly killed due to the doctor’s negligence.
Alleging doctors’ negligence behind the death of Deepak Sapkota of Jamuni of Bardiya, the mob, mostly comprising local youths, street children and Maoists resorted to vandalism, according to local media reports.
Dr LD Bhatta and Dr Shreekrishna Giri, who were on duty at the OPD section, had immediately attended Sapkota.
According to LZH sources, Sapkota, who was brought to the hospital in serious condition at around 11 a.m., succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment. He was admitted in the emergency ward of the hospital. He was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident.
Later in the evening, the mob also burnt down an ambulance belonging to Rotary Club at Media Chowk. The mob also looted medicines and cash from Jyoti Medical at around 7 p.m.
Following Sapkota’s death, irate youths who broke into LZH also mercilessly beat up surgeon Giri while he was attending another patient at the emergency ward.
Fifteen policemen including police inspector Bamdev Gautam were injured when protestors clashed with police at different places.
Meanwhile, condemning the attack on Dr Giri and vandalism on the hospital, the Nepal Medical Association (NMA) demanded strong action against the guilty.
The irate mob also organized a chhaka jam on Siddhartha and Mahendra Highways, demanding action against the doctor.