Boy lost leg due to 'negligence', four doctors face action

Four doctors of Centre-run Safdarjung Hospital and civic body-run Bara Hindu Rao Hospital are likely to face action in a case of medical negligence reported last year.

The doctors will be briefly suspended from service. Aman, 11, lost his leg after being allegedly treated by a quack in Rana Pratap Bagh area in May, 2014. The boy, a resident of Rana Pratap Bagh area, had sustained a deep injury after a two-inch long glass piece penetrated his leg, Deccan Herald had reported.

Quack Aftab had bandaged the wound, which worsened the condition. He was later taken to Bara Hindu Rao Hospital where there was delay in treatment, the family had alleged.

He was later shifted to Safdarjung Hospital, where doctors did not give him timely treatment either, according to the family. Eventually, the boy’s leg was amputated at a private hospital in Meerut.

“The Delhi Medical Council conducted a thorough investigation in the case. An action will soon be taken against those responsible for delay in the child’s treatment,” said Dr Girish Tyagi, Registrar, Delhi Medical Council.

According to a recent order passed in the council meeting, two doctors each from Safdarjung and Hindu Rao Hospital will be suspended for a month from service, said another source in the DMC. “The names will be struck from the list of the council for a month, following which they will be restored,” said the source.

“The doctors who have been found guilty of medical negligence at Hindu Rao Hospital are Dr Anand Sharma and Dr Jagdish V, both resident doctors. The boy was then not admitted at Safdarjung Hospital when shifted. Doctors from the paediatric surgery and cardiothoracic and vascular surgery were found responsible.

Dr Pankaj and Dr Vishal are likely to face action from Safdarjung Hospital,” said the source.

Aman’s family is still struggling to manage funds for treatment. “My son will undergo another operation in Meerut next month. The negligence of doctors cost my son his leg. We are struggling to manage the cost of his treatment,” said Reshma, the boy’s mother.

Clinic shut

The Health Department clamped down on a quack in RK Puram sector 7. The department ordered the clinic of one K Biswas to be shut.

“The quack was operating in connivance with police. Despite being given a closure order from DMC, he is operating in the area. We dialled 100 and police arrived at the spot only after an hour,” said Dr Anil Bansal, chairperson, Anti-Quackery Cell, DMC.