Sonam Wangchuk hospital shift has become the focus of attention after the activist’s wife, Gitanjali J. Angmo, sought his transfer from Safdarjung Hospital, citing concerns over a lack of transparency in his treatment. Wangchuk was admitted to the hospital on Saturday after his health deteriorated during a prolonged hunger strike, following which his family requested that he be moved to a medical facility of their choice.
Angmo also said not to undertake any treatment of the activist without her consent. Following this, she has said that the hospital is not completely transparent in the treatment of Wangchuk.
“We were informed by your team that Mr. Sonam Wangchuk’s potassium levels dropped to 2.9 this morning. This is surprising as yesterday, July 17, his potassium level at 4:16 pm was 4.3. Therefore, we asked your team to share his reports with us, digitally and physically, which they refused,” she said.
“This lack of transparency has shaken our trust in your hospital. Therefore, we wish to inform you that we have decided to shift Mr. Sonam Wangchuk to a medical center of our choice,” she added.
“Kindly complete all his discharge formalities at the earliest to enable us to shift him in order to ensure his well-being and health and receive an accurate medical diagnosis,” Angmo said.
Meanwhile, the Safdargunj Hospital has released a bulletin stating that Wangchuk has refused intravenous fluid. “Although intravenous fluids were advised, the patient has refused all intravenous fluids, oral rehydration solution, and any other medication,” the hospital stated.
Wangchuk was taken to the hospital by Delhi Police at 7:40 am due to generalized weakness. He has been on an infinite-day hunger strike for the past 20 days. The demand of the hunger strike is the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak.
Two days before the police action, the Delhi High Court told the center and Delhi government to “do whatever it takes” to save the activist’s life.
“Whatever medical intervention is needed to save Sonam Wangchuk’s life should be done,” the court ordered.
“We note that the life of any citizen is precious… and all efforts ought to be made by authorities to save the same,” the court said.
It comes ahead of the plea submitted to the High Court on Wednesday, which highlighted the 59-year-old Sonam Wangchuk’s life could be at risk or he might die in two days if his hunger strike is not stopped. The plea also accused the government of being “least concerned and insensitive” to his condition.
The plea alleged that the government had been insensitive to his deteriorating condition and requested the court to take action urgently. The plea further asked for directions for providing medical intervention, which includes force-feeding if required.
