A 12-year-old girl from Bagwalipokhar was moved between hospitals in Ranikhet, Almora and Haldwani after developing severe abdominal pain. Her family says she was referred from Almora Medical College after doctors sought 2 units of rare AB-negative blood, but a private hospital in Haldwani later operated on her without a transfusion.

The episode has triggered criticism from Red Cross officials, who questioned the handling of the emergency and the availability of rare blood at the government medical college. The girl’s family has also alleged that the referral came despite a donor being brought to the hospital.

Treatment journey from Ranikhet to Haldwani

The girl, the daughter of Bagwalipokhar resident Jagdish Ram, developed sudden severe pain in her abdomen on Wednesday. Her relatives first took her to a private hospital in Ranikhet, where doctors advised immediate surgery.

Seeking treatment at a government facility, the family reached the emergency department of the Soban Singh Jeena Government Medical College and Research Institute in Almora at 2:30 at night. The girl’s uncle, Jeevan Ram, said doctors described her condition as serious and asked the family to arrange AB-negative blood.

The family said the blood bank did not have the rare blood group and declined to provide it. After the matter came to the attention of the Youth Red Cross, its team arranged a donor and reached the medical college during the night.

According to the relatives, Red Cross officials and the donor were at the hospital when doctors referred the girl to a higher centre at 10:00 at night. The family then hired a private ambulance for ₹3,800 and travelled to Haldwani.

At a private hospital there, doctors performed the operation successfully after admitting the child. Jeevan Ram said the girl did not need a blood transfusion during the procedure. The family has cited this difference in treatment while questioning the decision taken at Almora Medical College.

Red Cross seeks action

Red Cross officials met the principal of Almora Medical College and submitted a memorandum seeking action against those responsible. They said patients from remote mountain villages face serious risks when they must travel to a higher centre at night.

The officials criticised the functioning of the blood bank and alleged negligence by doctors. They warned that the Red Cross would launch an intensified protest if the hospital’s arrangements were not improved.

Those who met the principal included Red Cross state vice-president Manoj Sanwal, Youth Red Cross chairman Amit Sah Monu, secretary Manoj Bhandari Mantu, deputy secretary Abhishek Joshi and village head Vinod Joshi.

Medical college’s explanation

Almora Medical College principal Dr GS Tityal said the girl had arrived with a serious abdominal condition. He said doctors examined her and admitted her to the ward before detailed investigations indicated that emergency surgery was required.

According to Dr Tityal, the medical team requested 2 units of AB-negative blood because the operation was considered urgent. He said the blood bank did not have that rare blood group at the time.

He added that the girl’s pain was increasing and doctors feared an adverse outcome. The decision to refer her to a higher centre, he said, was taken to secure faster and better treatment and protect her life.

The available accounts therefore differ over the necessity of blood and the timing of the referral. The family and Red Cross have questioned the hospital’s decision, while the principal has said the referral was made because the required blood was unavailable and the child needed urgent specialist care.

Conclusion

The 12-year-old girl ultimately underwent successful surgery at a private hospital in Haldwani, according to her family. Red Cross officials have demanded accountability over the referral and blood-bank arrangements, while the medical college has defended its decision as an emergency referral made in the child’s interest.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How old was the girl?

She was 12 years old.

Q. Where did the family first take her?

The family first took her to a private hospital in Ranikhet after she developed severe abdominal pain.

Q. Why did Almora Medical College seek blood?

The principal said doctors needed 2 units of AB-negative blood for emergency surgery because the girl had a serious abdominal condition.

Q. Was AB-negative blood available at the medical college?

Dr GS Tityal said the blood bank did not have AB-negative blood at that time.

Q. Where was the girl eventually operated on?

She underwent surgery at a private hospital in Haldwani.

Q. Did she receive a blood transfusion in Haldwani?

According to her uncle, she did not need a blood transfusion there.

Q. What action have Red Cross officials sought?

They submitted a memorandum to the medical college principal seeking action and warned of an intensified protest if arrangements were not improved.