Had no time to take Koirala to hospital: Dr Yogi

Kathmandu, February 11

Karbir Nath Yogi, personal physician of late Nepali Congress president Sushil Koirala, today said Koirala could not be taken to hospital as phone calls made to the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital for ambulance were not received despite repeated attempts.

Koirala passed away at 12:50am on Tuesday.

Yogi said he had made 13 calls to the TUTH, the nearest hospital from Koirala’s residence, for an ambulance, but the phone was not received.

He said he also called former President Ram Baran Yadav, who is also a physician, for help. “I was making calls even when I was administering injections,” he said.

Deepak Prakash Mahara, executive Director of TUTH, could not be contacted for comments.

“Although there were other vehicles at Koirala residence, it would have been risky to take him to the hospital without oxygen,” Dr Yogi said at the Reporters’ Club Nepal today. A bed was booked for Koirala from Monday morning, he said.

However, the plan to take him to the hospital was put off after his health gradually improved, he said.

“On Friday, Sushil Dai said he had fever and we responded to that. On Saturday, he said he was feeling worse and we gave him antibiotics. On Sunday at 6:00am, he called me and I reached there by 6:30.

His condition was stable then,” Dr Yogi said.

“On Monday, I returned home at 9:30pm. He had taken some food then and did not have fever. But, Atulji (Koirala’s nephew) called me to inform that he was facing breathing difficulties. I rushed there with some injections.

I gave him three injections, but had no time to take him to hospital,” said Dr Yogi. He said Koirala did not have any injury on his forehead as was rumoured.

He, however, admitted that there was a bloodstain on his blanket.

“He staggered while going to toilet on Monday night but maintained balance with the support of washbasin.

Although his head touched (something) gently, no visible injury marks were found on his head as rumored. And, it was proved while giving him a bath before cremation,” Dr Yogi said.

“I gave him CPR at 12:30am. Koirala was speaking till then,” Dr Yogi said.