Elderly woman becomes a victim of medical negligence
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI – In a bizarre case of medical negligence, an orthopaedic surgeon in Uttar Pradesh’s Sultanpur operated on an elderly woman’s other leg, despite her left leg being fractured. The incident has sparked outrage and disbelief among the victim’s family and the community.
Bhuila Devi, a resident of the Kanhai police station area, had injured her left leg after a fall. Her family promptly took her to a hospital in Sultanpur, where an X-ray confirmed a fracture in her left leg. Following the diagnosis, the doctors advised surgical intervention to treat the injury. Trusting the medical professionals, the family admitted her to the facility and awaited her recovery.
According to media reports, the surgery commenced as planned, and hours later, Bhuila Devi was brought out of the operating theatre. However, her family’s relief quickly turned to shock when they noticed bandages on her right leg — the healthy one. Upon questioning the hospital staff, it was revealed that the surgeon had mistakenly operated on the wrong leg, leaving the fractured left leg untouched.
Relatives immediately questioned the hospital administration. Subsequently, Bhuila Devi was taken back to the operation room, and the correct surgery was performed on her left leg, media reports say.
The report of the incident spread like wildfire, creating a stir in the hospital. The operating doctor, PK Pandey, was found to be absent from the scene. The hospital administration explained that the socket of the left leg was fractured and was operated on, while the swelling and clotted blood in the right leg were removed. However, this explanation failed to satisfy the family and others.
An investigation has been initiated against the hospital administration and the doctor. The family has demanded strict action against the hospital and has also appealed to the police for a thorough inquiry. The Sultanpur administration and the health department have assured that they will investigate the matter with due seriousness.
Medical experts have termed the incident a glaring example of negligence. “Operating on the wrong limb is a preventable error and highlights serious lapses in preoperative protocols,” said a senior medical professional. “Such incidents undermine trust in the healthcare system.”
