Youth dies after alleged delay in treatment at KIMS Hubballi

Hubballi, : Allegations of medical negligence have surfaced against the Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) in Hubballi after a 25-year-old accident victim reportedly died following a delay in emergency treatment. The deceased has been identified as Prakash, a resident of Morab village in Dharwad taluk.

According to family members, Prakash worked as a JCB driver and was returning to his village on his motorcycle after completing work on March 13. During the journey, his bike was reportedly hit by an unidentified vehicle, leaving him critically injured.

Local residents immediately arranged for an ambulance and shifted him to the Dharwad District Hospital for emergency care. Doctors at the hospital examined him and advised that he be shifted to KIMS Hospital for advanced treatment.

Following the advice, the injured youth was rushed to KIMS late at night. However, the family alleged that the hospital staff did not admit him immediately. They claim that despite the patient being in critical condition, the staff delayed providing treatment for more than half an hour citing lack of beds.

Family members further alleged that no staff member came forward to even help shift the injured man from the ambulance to the emergency ward. After waiting for a long time without receiving medical attention, they decided to move him to a private hospital in Dharwad.

By the time Prakash was taken to the private hospital, doctors reportedly declared him brain dead. The family then brought him back to KIMS, but doctors could not save his life.

Relatives claim that the delay in providing timely treatment resulted in the loss of precious time during the “golden hour,” which is considered crucial in accident cases. They alleged that if the patient had received immediate medical care at KIMS, his life could have been saved.

The incident has triggered anger among the family and local residents, who accused hospital authorities of negligence. They demanded strict action against the staff responsible for the delay.

Meanwhile, locals have urged the authorities to improve emergency response systems at KIMS, which is widely considered a lifeline hospital for poor and rural patients in the region.