Lucknow: 'We kept waiting for medical help for 2 hours'

Lucknow: Test report of quarantined migrant worker who died on Sunday following high fever was negative for coronavirus infection.

The worker’s family and villagers, however, demanded action against those responsible for negligence which allegedly led to his death. Yaar Mohammad (21), nephew of the deceased migrant Taj Mohammad of Bahrauli village, said his uncle returned from Mumbai on May 10 and quarantined in a school.

Taj worked in a steel vessels factory in Mumbai was the lone bread-earner of the seven-member family.

“He had influenza-like symptoms for last 10 days but officers did not take action despite several complaints. On Sunday, we called 108 ambulance service but we ourselves had to carry him to the vehicle without PPE kits as ambulance staff did not cooperate and kept waiting at Balrampur hospital for two hours before doctors came and pronounced him brought dead. We then waited for an hour to shift body to the mortuary,” he claimed.

The families of 12 people including a pregnant women in quarantine in the school alleged they had to give food to their dear ones through the window. The centre lacked sanitization too. “We complained to lekhpal and tehsildar but to no avail,” said Mohammad.

CMO Dr Narendra Agarwal said, “A three-member committee has submitted a probe report. Action will be taken soon.”