Cat scratches dengue patient in Kolkata's premium state-run hospital

A female dengue patient was scratched by a cat at the state-run Calcutta Medical College and Hospital here on Thursday, the victim and her family members alleged.

Nitu Chowdhury, who was admitted to the female medicine ward of the premier health facility CMCH on Wednesday with high fever on Wednesday, was scratched by the feline with its finger nails, leaving her bloodied and in excruciating pain.

Forced to stay on the floor due to unavailability of bed, Chowdhury was scratched on the chin, and has now been shifted to the Infectious Diseases hospital at Beliaghata.

"Since I was admitted to the hospital yesterday (Wednesday), I saw cats all around. I was not provided any bed even. I lost lot of blood after the cat scratched me," said Chowdhury.

One of her relatives said the attendant looking after the patient called him on his mobile on Thursday evening and informed that Chowdhury has been scratched by a cat.

"The doctors said administering the vaccine at CMCH will be costly, and so released her for four hours for being taken to the ID hospital for administering the vaccine," said the relative.

"We went to complain at the police outpost, but was directed to the medical superintendent's office. But there we were told he had left.

"This can happen to any patient. The government should take responsibility for the incident," said Chowdhury's relative.

--IANS

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