After being turned away by three hospitals and denied timely emergency care while suffering severe chest pain, a 34-year-old man died, while his wife pleaded with passers-bys for help and watched his condition worsen. The family has alleged that a series of refusals, delays and lack of emergency response turned a medical emergency into a fatal ordeal.
On December 14 at around 3 a.m., Venkat Ramanan began complaining of intense chain pain and vomiting, his wife Roopa K. told The Hindu. As the symptoms persisted and worsened, the couple decided to seek medical attention around 3.30 a.m. With no auto and cab available, Mr. Ramanan rode his two-wheeler with his wife to a multi-speciality hospital in Banashankari 3rd Stage.
On reaching the hospital, they were told that no duty doctor was available to attend to him. With his condition deteriorating, the couple then rushed to another hospital, where emergency doctors conducted an ECG. However, Ms. Roopa said that despite her husband repeatedly asking for medication to relieve the pain, no treatment was initiated. Instead, the doctors advised them to go to another hospital, stating that his condition was serious, requiring specialised care.
When Mr. Ramanan’s pain intensified, Ms. Roopa contacted his relatives to arrange a car. Unable to bear the pain, Mr. Ramanan set out again on his two-wheeler and reached a third hospital. According to Ms. Roopa, he was not admitted there either, with hospital staff reportedly stating that his condition was too serious and declining to take him inside.
Then they decided to go to Jayadeva Hospital, and while driving there, Mr. Ramanan lost balance and the couple fell on the road. Ms. Roopa said he remained alive for at least three minutes after the fall. “I was bleeding and kept pleading with people around us to help, but no one stopped. Till then even his sister had not reached,” she said. After a few minutes, Mr. Ramanan’s sister reached the spot and attempted CPR, hoping he could be stabilised until medical help arrived. Despite the effort, his condition continued to worsen.
The wait ended when a cab driver, attached to a corporate firm, stopped and rushed Mr. Ramanan to a nearby hospital. Doctors there administered emergency shock treatment but declared him dead on arrival. The family said they were later informed that he had suffered a stroke.
“Hospitals refused us, ambulance services did not respond properly and even on the road, no one came forward to help,” Ms. Roopa said, alleging a complete failure of both the healthcare system and basic human compassion.
Despite the trauma, the family chose to honour Mr. Ramanan’s wish by donating his eyes. Ms. Roopa said the decision was taken in keeping with his belief that even in death, one could help others. Mr. Ramanan is survived by his wife, his mother, and two young children, a five-year-old son, and an 18-month-old daughter.
Published – December 17, 2025 09:23 pm IST
