Duty doctor turns hero at KMC

CHENNAI: Amid the tragedy at the Government Kilpauk Medical College and Hospital, where a freak fire accident killed three patients, there was an unlikely hero: the duty doctor.“Dr K Bharadhwaj first ensured all those who were able to walk were safely shifted from the ward and then returned to the smoke-filled room and tried to save my mother-in-law Krishna Bai (72),” recounted Ananthalakshmi.  “We may have lost her, but he acted like God and ensured that we were safe, while putting his life at risk. Words are not enough to thank him,” added Meena Pandi, the victim’s granddaughter. Dr Bharadhwaj, along with an attender, managed to carry Krishna Bai out, but it was too late. She had died.Dr Bharadhwaj looked visibly embarrassed by all the praise and attention. “I think calling me a hero is a bit of exaggeration, considering that did only my duty,” said the modest alumnus of the Chengalpet Medical College. Recounting the incident that happened early that morning, Bharadhwaj said that a busy night in the ward had prevented them from noticing the fire, which is believed to have originated from the air conditioner in the duty doctor’s miniscule cabin, as witnesses also concur.The second victim, M Tamilarasi, who had intercranial hypertension and high blood sugar, was admitted to the IMCU at 1.45 am, hours before the accident.She may not be alive to realise how she played a crucial part in alerting the doctors to the fire. Her son Manigandan (34), added “Just before 5 am, my mother stopped breathing and the doctor rushed over to check what was wrong. Her bed was right next to the vent and that was when we saw the smoke coming through.” Unfortunately, for Tamilarasi, she was immobile and could not exit the ward alive. Another unsung hero who helped evacuate three patients was Male Nursing Assistant Vinoth (20). Standing away from the frenzied media contingent, Vinoth was still wearing the smoke-charred white uniform shirt that he had been wearing throughout the ordeal. “There was fire and smoke. I saw patients who were already in pain dying,” he said. Another unfortunate coincidence was when final year medical student, Revathi (21) walked into the ward, an hour before the incident with a fever. She had been advised to take rest. Dr Sukumar stated that almost all patients in the IMCU were lodged there because they were either critically sick or border-line terminally ill.Another doctor remarked how two of the three victims were not expected to survive for much long.