Wangchuk Needs Urgent Therapy, Family Declining Treatment Despite Counselling: Safdarjung Hospital

New Delhi: Activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on a 21-day hunger strike, is showing signs of dehydration and urgently requires fluid and electrolyte therapy to prevent potentially serious complications, even as he and his family declined the recommended treatment despite repeated counselling, Safdarjung Hospital authorities said on Saturday.

Wangchuk remains conscious and haemodynamically stable, with his pulse, blood pressure and oxygen saturation currently within normal limits, the hospital said in a statement issued around 9 pm.

However, it said his prolonged fast has led to clinical signs of dehydration, making immediate oral or intravenous fluid and electrolyte therapy medically necessary.

Wangchuk was taken forcibly to Safdarjung Hospital by the Delhi Police on the 21st day of his hunger strike. He has been on an indefinite hunger strike since June 28 in support of the CJP-led protest over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination and the reported deaths of students linked to the controversy.

An independent expert from AIIMS, Delhi, examined Wangchuk and concurred with the treating team's assessment that urgent fluid and electrolyte therapy is medically indicated. An AIIMS doctor has also joined the treating team and will remain continuously available for monitoring and clinical management.

"Despite repeated counselling by the treating team and the independent expert regarding the urgent need for treatment, the patient has declined intravenous fluids, oral rehydration solution and all medications. The patient's family has also not yet provided consent for the recommended medical intervention," the hospital said.

The hospital said Wangchuk has refused intravenous fluids, oral rehydration solution and all medications despite repeated counselling by the treating team and an independent AIIMS expert, while his family is yet to provide consent for the recommended medical intervention.

"His pulse, blood pressure and oxygen saturation are currently within normal limits. However, he is exhibiting clinical signs of dehydration, and in view of his prolonged fasting, his condition warrants immediate medical intervention to prevent further deterioration and potentially serious complications," the statement said.

It added that Wangchuk continues to remain under close medical observation.

"The treating team is making every effort to counsel the patient and his family to provide consent and accept the recommended treatment at the earliest in the interest of safeguarding his health and preventing avoidable complications," the statement said.

"The patient continues to be under close medical observation. The treating team is making every effort to counsel the patient and his family to provide consent and accept the recommended treatment at the earliest in the interest of safeguarding his health and preventing avoidable complications," it stated.

Wangchuk and the three activists from AISA have been on an indefinite hunger strike since June 28 in support of the CJP-led protest demanding Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation over alleged irregularities in NEET and deaths of students linked to the controversy.

Soon after the police action, CJP founder Abhijit Dipke alleged that the protesters were subjected to a police crackdown.