‘Just bihar things’: Man with fractured leg gets cardboard support; social media reacts to viral video
Viral Video Sparks Debate Over Healthcare Standards
Theindiapostdaily.com – In a scene that has captured the imagination of netizens across India, a man with a fractured leg was treated with nothing but cardboard at a government hospital in Bihar. The incident, which occurred on August 3, has become a trending topic online, often described by social media users as a classic example of "Just bihar things." The patient, identified as Krishna Kumar, was involved in a road accident near the Harsain Bridge in Begusarai district. According to reports from India Today, an auto-rickshaw collided with his vehicle during the evening, leaving him with a severe leg injury.
Following the accident, emergency services transported Krishna Kumar to the Manjhaul Sub-divisional Hospital. Upon arrival, medical staff faced a challenge in stabilizing his fracture. With limited resources available at the time, they improvised by wrapping discarded cardboard pieces around his injured leg using bandages. This makeshift solution was intended to provide temporary support until more definitive treatment could be administered. Despite the unconventional method, the patient was subsequently referred to the Sadar Hospital in Begusarai for further care.
The Incident at Manjhaul Hospital
At the Sadar Hospital, Krishna Kumar received an intravenous drip and initial medical attention. However, he was informed that a proper plaster cast would not be available for a week due to supply constraints. Frustrated by the delay and the severity of his pain, he decided to seek treatment at a private hospital instead. The video of his leg wrapped in cardboard quickly circulated on social media platforms, drawing widespread attention to the conditions within local government healthcare facilities. While some praised the ingenuity of the staff, others criticized the lack of basic medical supplies.
Abhinav Priyadarshi, the in-charge of the Manjhaul Hospital, defended the actions of his team. He explained that using cotton and bandages with cardboard was not medically incorrect and is a common practice for first aid in resource-constrained settings. Priyadarshi noted that the absence of an orthopaedic doctor and a dresser on that particular day necessitated this temporary measure. Meanwhile, Begusarai Civil Surgeon Dr. Ashok Kumar confirmed that he had reviewed the viral footage. He stated that while temporary support is valid, this specific case required a formal investigation to determine if any negligence occurred during the patient's care.
Social Media Reacts with Humor and Criticism
The internet response to the viral video was mixed, ranging from sarcastic humor to serious concern about public health infrastructure. One user posted a witty comment, stating, "We used to throw away cardboard, thinking, what use could it possibly have in the end? At Manjhaul Hospital in Begusarai, while conducting a revolutionary discovery, when a leg broke, they applied cardboard instead of plaster—cheap too, light too." Another user added, "This year, the Best Hospital award is definitely going to them for sure," highlighting the irony of the situation.
Medical professionals also weighed in on the debate. Dr. Aniruddha Malpani, MD, clarified that cardboard is actually a legitimate temporary splint, similar to SAM splints, and is preferable to leaving a fracture completely unsupported. However, he pointed out that the real issue was not the use of cardboard but the fact that the hospital lacked plaster of Paris in stock. Many users echoed the sentiment that this was a systemic issue rather than an isolated incident. One comment read, "I don’t know what is happening in this country, and why is everyone so normal about it?" Another user recalled past incidents where rats were found chewing on patients' eyes and dogs sleeping on hospital beds, describing the situation as "complete callousness."
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