Shreyas H S
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore
Mangalore, Jul 3: Despite medical negligence wherein doctors of Mangalore Nursing Home (MNH) left behind the artery forceps in the pelvic area of a patient during surgery four years back, the medical superintendent of MNH, Dr Anantha Lakshmi contended that it is 'natural' for doctors to make such mistakes.
Four years back, Dr Poornima Nair and Dr Rohit Gatty of Mangalore Nursing Home, unintentionally but negligently, left the artery forceps inside Hafsa, a resident of Madoor, who was admitted to the hospital for hysterectomy. However, the incident came to light only four years later, after the victim underwent various treatments for the pain she suffered, and ultimately got herself scanned on the advice of a doctor.
Vexing over the incident, medical superintendent Dr Anantha Lakshmi exclaimed, "The press persons are keen on reporting negative incidents that occur in the careers of doctors. Has any reporter written on the successful operations conducted by these doctors?” Evading questions about the accused doctors in the case, she advised to carry out a comprehensive report on Dr Poornima Nair's achievements in 25 years of medical practice. When persuaded to talk on the incident, Dr Lakshmi said journalists should act humane while reporting on sensitive issues.
The access to the ICU in the Unity Hospital where the victim is under medical surveillance revealed that though the condition of the patient is stable, she was not yet out of danger. The MS has no answer for any question on the sufferings the victim underwent all these years. Hafsa, on the other hand, says, "I trusted the doctors but this was what they did to me."
Dr Abdul Majeed, who removed the artery forceps from her body said, “The surgical instrument has caused multiple perforations to the large intestine. This has led the patient to develop a severe pain in her abdomen region. Though we have closed the perforations through ileostomy procedure, it will take time to heal."
He added, "The condition of the patient is stable but she is not out of danger. We have to wait for the tears or holes to heal in the large intestine to carry out another surgery."
Kadri police station inspector, T D Nagraj, who is investigating the matter said, "This was sheer medical blunder. Such medical negligence by doctors is highly unacceptable."