Bihar: Family Retracts Allegations in Nawada ‘Ambulance Row’; Full Story Turns on Its Head

A viral video alleging denial of ambulance services at the Akbarpur Community Health Centre in Nawada sparked outrage across Bihar and raised serious concerns about the state’s healthcare system. The clip showed family members carrying the body of 75-year-old Kesari Devi on a stretcher for nearly 500 metres, reportedly due to the hospital’s failure to provide an ambulance.

However, the case has now taken a dramatic turn. The deceased’s daughter-in-law, Poonam Kumari, has submitted a written statement completely denying the accusations that were earlier made in the viral video — including those she herself had repeated on camera.

Family Withdraws All Claims

In her written statement, Poonam Kumari asserted that the hospital provided them with adequate facilities and that the family had chosen on their own to take the body home on a stretcher. She categorically stated that the claim of “no ambulance availability” was incorrect.

Civil Surgeon Dr. Vinod Kumar Choudhary disclosed that a five-member inquiry team from Patna conducted a thorough investigation. The probe found that the patient had been brought dead, and hence was not admitted. CCTV footage also confirmed the presence of doctors at the time, contradicting the earlier allegations of negligence.

One Suspended, Three Issued Show-Cause Notices

Based on the inquiry report, the health department has initiated disciplinary action.

• Kanan Priya, Health Manager, has been suspended.
• Dr. Rajesh Kumar, Dr. Gaurav Kumar, and GNM Jagdish Gyani have been issued show-cause notices for their roles during the incident and for the negative publicity caused after the video went viral.

A Wake-Up Call for Rural Healthcare

Even though the family has withdrawn its accusations and the probe established that the patient was brought in deceased, the incident has reignited debate over the condition of healthcare services in rural areas.

The episode highlights the urgent need for:

• Stronger communication between hospitals and families,
• Transparent handling of emergency cases, and
• Better public awareness to prevent misinformation from spreading.

The Nawada incident serves as a reminder that ground realities, public perception, and viral content often diverge, making accuracy and accountability more crucial than ever.

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