Ranipet: In a shocking incident, a multipurpose health worker (MPHW) at Kalavai Government Hospital in Ranipet allegedly stitched a patient’s wounds, raising serious concerns about patient safety in government hospitals. The incident reportedly occurred at the direction of a doctor who was attending to another emergency at the time.  According to the news reports, the incident came to light after a video circulated on social media showing a female health worker stitching wounds on a patient’s hand. The patient, a resident of Kalavaiputhur, had suffered minor injuries in a bike accident and had visited the government hospital for treatment. Also Read:Haripad Taluk Hospital Superintendent, Staff booked over dialysis patient deathsLocal sources alleged that despite the presence of a doctor and a nurse, the wound was stitched by the MPHW, whose regular duties typically include assisting medical staff, helping with patient admission and discharge, cleaning wards and toilets, carrying files, and supporting nurses and doctors during emergencies. Performing medical procedures like stitching wounds is beyond their official role.Speaking to TNIE, a health department official in Ranipet said that a complaint has reached the department and an inquiry has been scheduled for Monday. Disciplinary action would be taken against the staff involved. “At the time of the incident, another emergency accident case had also occurred. So the doctor and the nurse had to attend to it. Hence, the doctor directed the hospital worker to stitch the wounds.”Also Read:CMCH doctors accused of medical negligence after woman dies Post C-SectionThe official added that hospital workers also learn a lot while assisting medical staff. However, the official noted that it was not appropriate for the doctor to direct the work to the hospital worker, as they are trained only to assist doctors and nurses, not to perform stitches. An X-ray was taken after the procedure by the doctor to confirm that the patient was fine, and the official added that Kalavai GH was a hospital with minimal resources.