KATHMANDU: Tension flared at Neuro Hospital in Bansbari after enraged family members of an elderly patient — who died in course of treatment — went on the rampage alleging that the doctors’ negligence resulted in the death. The doctors had pronounced Shivaram Rai (62), hailing from Bamrang VDC of Khotang district, dead at around 2 pm. Shivaram was admitted to the hospital on November 11 after he collapsed. Ace neurologist Dr Upendra Devkota had performed a surgery on his brain. The deceased’s kin attributed the death to the ‘negligence’ of the doctors and vented their anger on the hospital properties, demanding “stern action against the guilty doctor” and cash relief to the victim’s family. According to the hospital administration, the vandalism of property inflicted a loss of around Rs 300,000. “The Rais hired some miscreants to terrorise the hospital administration and compensation,” it said. A dozen persons sustained injuries when police used force and swayed baton on the protesters. In the wake of the incident, the riot police have been guarding the hospital. Rai was put in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) following the surgery. His kin claimed that the doctors didn’t allow them to see the patient after he was referred to the ICU. Fending off the allegations, Dr Devkota said that just a single person was allowed to see the patient at a time in ICU. The irked kin alleged that they were lathicharged at the command of Dr Devkota. “No sooner had we approached Dr Devkota seeking the details of death, than he called the baton-wielding policemen and ordered them to pounce upon us. The doctors told us a lie about the patient’s health status. He might have died earlier than the medics claimed,” argued Dambar Rai, a relative of the deceased. Dr Devkota said the surgeons were on a constant touch with the victim’s kin unto his death. “Shivaram died of brain haemorrhage — an acute state where the chance of living accounts for up to 40 per cent only. But, we didn’t leave a single stone unturned to ensure save his life. What they are blaming on us is a mere baseless allegation,” he maintained. According to the hospital, the Rais were satisfied with the medical service till the report of death came out. “Tension ran high after they went on rampage with the help of hired goons,” said Dr Devkota. Rai’s body has been sent to TU Teaching Hospital to perform an autopsy. Dr Devkota warned that the hospitals would not admit any patient of a critical nature if such attacks on the medics and health facilities continued unabated.