Patiala, July 8 -- The Patiala health department on Monday initiated an inquiry into allegations of medical negligence by emergency medical officers (EMOs) at Government Mata Kaushalya Hospital, following the death of a two-year-old diarrhoea patient on July 1. The probe was ordered on the directions of Punjab health minister Dr Balbir Singh who during his visit to the diarrhoea-hit Alipur Arriyan village was apprised by the kin of the deceased child over the alleged delay by the EMOs at the hospital. The family members of the deceased child have alleged that they were kept waiting and hospital staff failed to respond promptly despite repeated pleas for medical attention. "I kept waiting outside their room, and they (doctors and staff) didn't bother to take a break from tea to attend to my two-year-old niece. I kept begging the doctors to attend to my niece, but they didn't respond to my requests. The doctor came to attend to my niece only after finishing tea, and it was already too late. My niece died in my hands," said Prem Lata, aunt of the deceased child. Punjab health minister has asked Patiala civil surgeon Dr Jagpalinder Singh to inquire into the matter and check CCTV footage of the emergency ward to verify the family's claims. Following the minister's directions, the Patiala health department, in a letter to the medical superintendent of Mata Kaushalya Hospital, has sought an explanation over the matter after checking CCTV footage. A senior health officer, pleading anonymity, said, "Inquiry has already been ordered. An explanation will be sought from the health staff that was on duty on July 1."...