Sonam Wangchuk Health: Safdarjung Hospital Stock Update; wife moves HC, says ‘if anything happens to Sonam…’ | Today’s news
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk “requires round-the-clock medical care under the close supervision of a multidisciplinary team of experts,” Vardhman Mahavir Medical College (VMMC) and Safdarjung Hospital said in a health bulletin on Sunday (July 19).
It read, “Shri Sonam Wangchuk is receiving required medical intervention at VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital.
“His vital signs are currently stabilized, however, his blood parameters remain slightly altered and due to the physiological stress and systemic effects of prolonged starvation, he requires continuous medical care under the close supervision of a multidisciplinary team of experts,” the statement added.
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Sonam Wangchuk is currently being monitored at Safdarjung Hospital, where his vitals are stable, but he is showing signs of dehydration and continues to refuse treatment, including IVs.
Gitanjali Angmo approached the high court over her concerns about the hospital’s handling of Wangchuk’s health and her wish to transfer him to another medical facility of their choice, claiming the hospital was not transparent enough.
Sonam Wangchuk is being continuously monitored by the medical team at Safdarjung Hospital and has recommended intravenous fluids and oral rehydration solutions, which he continues to refuse despite counselling.
His wife disputed the hospital’s reports of low potassium levels, saying there were discrepancies between their findings and a previous independent lab report that showed normal levels.
Yes, medical experts emphasize the need for intervention such as IV fluids to prevent critical complications from prolonged starvation, especially if the individual’s health is showing signs of decompensation.
Read also | Health update of Sonam Wangchuk at Safdarjung Hospital
The hospital further informed that the teams of doctors from VMMC and Safdarjung Hospital and AIIMS in New Delhi “are of the view that sustained medical intervention and continuous clinical monitoring are necessary to quickly detect and manage any potential complications that may arise despite his currently stable condition.”
“Accordingly, all necessary medical care is provided and his clinical condition, including blood parameters, is continuously monitored,” it added.
Wife says ‘they lost faith in…’
Sonam Wangchuk’s wife Gitanjali J Angmo said in a post on Sunday that she has lost confidence in Safdarjung Government Hospital. She said she approached the apex court seeking an urgent hearing today, “praying for permission to shift Sonam before his health deteriorates further.”
She explained the reason for her disbelief by saying, “The hospital told us that Wangchuk’s potassium level had dropped to 2.9, which they described as alarming and life-threatening. Yet in their public health bulletin, they conveniently omitted the actual number and referred only to ‘low potassium’.” An independent lab test reported 3.5, which is within the normal range.
He claimed that despite repeated requests, the hospital refused to discharge him or “allow us to shift him to a private hospital of our choice”.
“With approximately 30 officers stationed on our floor and over 100 throughout the hospital, our movement is severely restricted. This is not medical care.” It is illegal detentionAngmo claimed.
She said, “If anything happens to Sonam, the hospital authorities and the government must bear full responsibility.”
Announcing her High Court action, Angmo said: “No family should have to fight the system just to choose where their loved one receives medical care.
Read also | An angry Vishal Dadlani reacts to Delhi Police shifting Sonam Wangchuk to hospital
Sonam Wangchuk’s first social media post after hospitalization
In her first post on social media since being hospitalized, Sonam Wangchuk urged people to make the July 20 march to Parliament a “huge success”. He called it “India’s 2nd Freedom Movement”.
Wangchuk was brought to the hospital by the Delhi Police on Saturday morning in a meticulously planned three-tier operation for essential medical care on the orders of the Delhi High Court.
This came two days before a planned march to Parliament on the first day of the monsoon session on Monday (July 20).
Dipke’s second day of hunger strike
Meanwhile, Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke went on hunger strike for the second day on Sunday. “…now I know how hard it is. I salute Sonam Sir and the students here for their hunger strike. I am saving my energy for tomorrow’s march,” he said.
Dipke announced the indefinite hunger strike on Saturday, soon after educationist and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike for 21 days, was forcibly removed from the protest site by the Delhi Police and taken to Safdarjung Hospital.
Delhi Police ‘planning crackdown’
After activist Sonam Wangchuk was removed from the Jantar Mantar protest site, Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said the next few days are critical as the Delhi Police “plans to crack down” on the Jantar Mantar protest site.
Dipke also claimed late on Saturday that “Delhi Police is planning to crack down on our protest during the night or early hours – to silence the voice of the youth”.
Read also | Deepika Padukone’s post in support of Sonam Wangchuk has gone viral. It’s fake
“We request everyone to join us for a night vigil at Jantar Mantar so that we can march together to Sansad on the 20th,” he added.
