Wangchuk's Wife Alleges Hospital Withheld Reports

Synopsis

In a complaint, Gitanjali J Angmo, wife of activist Sonam Wangchuk, has said that he had been admitted on the 21st day of his hunger strike at Safdarjung Hospital, which did not provide her with the medical reports and allowed no second opinion. She has officially filed for his discharge, accusing him of mistreating her and causing her to lose trust in the hospital.

Two conflicting readings of vital signs

Angmo had written to the hospital's Medical Superintendent, saying that, as of Friday evening, Wangchuk's vitals were normal with her potassium level at 4.3 but had been informed the next day that the level had plummeted. Sources at the hospital also told Business Standard that doctors had observed dehydration and an increase in ketone level which, according to them, could pose metabolic risks if left untreated.

They are not letting me take him to another lab to get a second opinion, nor will they give me his blood sample to take to another lab, — Gitanjali J. Angmo said in a public statement outside the hospital.

A Request for Discharge

In two letters, Angmo told the hospital officials not to give any medication orally or intravenously without her nod, and requested to transfer Wangchuk to another hospital that was preferred by the family.

Hospital sources said they have been ongoing their advice to the family to allow treatment without delay. Angmo continued to argue it was not time for Wangchuk to be unfit enough to be unable to attend the CJP's march to Parliament planned for July 20.