Chemist shut after notice period expired

Following the expiry of the notice period given to the chemist who sold a used cannula to a heart patient, the shop was locked down on Thursday.

It was in April this year when the chemist had sold off a used cannula to the family of Surjit Singh who was to undergo heart surgery at PGI’s advanced Cardiac Centre.

However a notice outside the shop put up by the chemist read that the shop would remain closed for a day on account of a family function. Sources in PGI revealed that a decision in this regard was taken last month, the chemist was served a notice to vacate the shop within 30 days. As the deadline ended on Thursday, the chemist shut the shop and approached the court against the decision of PGI.

On April 18, one of the doctors caught hold of the used cannula before the cardiac thoracic surgery of 69-year-old Surjit Singh. There was a bloodstain on the cannula indicating that it had been already used. The family members had purchased the cannula from Aditya Medicos, a chemist in PGI’s market complex and they also had the bill in their possession.

A three-member inquiry committee was then constituted which indicted the chemist for selling the used surgical item. The findings of the committee were put before PGI’s estate committee on June 22, which recommended cancellation of the shop and debarred him from participating in the tendering process of the institute for two years.

Elementary school students pricked with hypodermic needle

Two Lynn elementary school students have been asked to seek medical attention after they were both pricked with a hypodermic needle in class.

Lynn Superintendent of Schools Dr. Catherine Latham said that one of the students found the discarded needle while walking to school.

According to Latham the 2nd-grader at the Tracy School in Lynn pricked his friend while "pretending to give him a flu shot," and then pricked himself when he put the needle away.

School Administrators didn't find out about it until the next day when a concerned parent notified the teacher.

The needle has been recovered.

The students are not expected to face any legal or disciplinary action.