Summary:
(Illustration: Subrata Dhar) In 2014, the number of absconding patients was 153 and in 2013, the number stood at 140. In 2014, the number of absconding patients was 153 and in 2013, the number stood at 140. (Illustration: Subrata Dhar)As many as 798 patients have been reported absconding during treatment in Sewri Tuberculosis (TB) hospital and 3,272 others have sought discharge against medical advice since 2013, data accessed from Right to Information (RTI) shows. The RTI, filed by activist Chetan Kothari, shows consistent high drop-out rate of patients getting TB treatment due to side effects of heavy drug doses. In 2015, 151 patients and in 2016, 163 patients went absconding from the hospital while getting treatment..