Hubballi: A heart-wrenching instance of alleged medical negligence has come to light at the Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) in Hubballi, often called the lifeline of North Karnataka. A 28-year-old youth is now battling for his life in a 'brain dead' state after hospital staff reportedly turned him away, citing a shortage of beds.

What Happened?

The victim, identified as Prakash Marigoudar (28), a JCB driver and resident of Mobara in Dharwad, met with a severe accident on the Somapur-Navalur road while returning home on his bike. Prakash sustained critical head injuries and was immediately rushed to KIMS Hospital in Hubballi for emergency treatment. However, the staff there allegedly refused to admit him, giving a perfunctory excuse that "no beds are available."

Private Hospital Declares 'Brain Dead'

With no treatment available at KIMS, his desperate relatives were forced to move him to SDM Hospital, a private facility in Dharwad. While he received medical attention there, the delay proved fatal. Due to excessive bleeding and the severity of the head injury during the transit time, doctors at SDM declared Prakash 'brain dead.'

Return to KIMS: Life on a Ventilator

Since his chances of recovery are now extremely slim and removing the ventilator would result in certain death, the SDM staff sent the patient back to KIMS. Currently, Prakash is being treated in a comatose state at the very same KIMS hospital that initially denied him entry.

Anger from Relatives

"Prakash would have survived if KIMS had admitted him immediately and provided timely treatment. Because of the negligence of the government hospital staff, a young man's life is fading away," his relatives cried out, expressing deep resentment against the KIMS administration.

The apathy shown by the KIMS staff toward the sole breadwinner of a poor family has sparked widespread public outrage across the region.