Rida's family to sue hospital

The devastated family of 14-year-old Rida Shaikh, who died of swine flu on Monday, have accused the Jehangir Hospital, where she was being treated, of misleading them.

They say they were not even informed that Rida was being tested for swine flu. The family will now file a case against the hospital. 

Meanwhile, as an immediate response to what seems to be a heightened threat, the Maharashtra government has invoked the Epidemics Control Act.
 
This allows the government to forcibly admit suspected patients to government hospitals. It also allows the government to act against hospitals and clinics, which do not report suspected cases.

The Maharashtra government has now asked Pune's Ruby Clinic for an explanation as to why it conducted a swine flu test on the victim because only government hospitals are authorised to test for swine flu.

Ruby Clinic had tested the victim for swine flu and the test had come negative. The victim was referred to Ruby Clinic by Jehangir Hospital for tests.

What went wrong?

The 14-year-old Rida started having symptoms of a sore-throat, runny nose and headache on July 21 for which she consulted a private doctor.

She felt better and then went to school on the July 23 just two days later. But she got fever again on the July 25 and consulted another private doctor.

She was admitted to a private nursing home on July 27. Her condition worsened and she was shifted to ICU. On the July 29 she was put on ventilator.

Rida tested positive for swine flu on the July 31. Just a day before that she was put on the anti-swine flu medication but by then it was too late.

The death of the 14-year-old seems to have set a chain of alarm scores of people who came into close contact with Rida. They are complaining of respiratory infections.

Three doctors and a nurse of the Jehangir Hospital where Rida was being treated have been quarantined with respiratory problems. They've been put on medication.

Eighty-five hospital contacts, 31 others including 11 family contacts have also been put on medication.

There are important questions that the authorities need to answer:

• How can private hospitals be made accountable?
• How can the govt ensure reporting of all swine flu cases at the right place?