A few Indian doctors are in hot water following a surgery they performed at a government-run hospital in Uttar Pradesh. A 28-year-old, identified only as Ghanshyam, was seriously injured in a bus accident, and as a result, needed a portion of his leg amputated. Soon after the surgery, a post-operative photo of the patient went public and sparked outrage when it could be seen that the man’s head was propped up on his own amputated leg.
An investigation was launched and originally two doctors were suspended. But after further inquiries into the situation, one senior resident orthopedist, one EMO, and two other medical staff were suspended.
The image of the man at the center of the controversy quickly made its rounds on the news and Twitter:
Medical apathy caught on camera – Patient's amputated leg used as a pillow in a government medical college in Jhansi. An inquiry has now been initiated in the matter. @pranshumisraa with more details. pic.twitter.com/atAqiWeL36
— News18 (@CNNnews18) March 10, 2018
Sadhna Kaushik, who is the principal at Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College, made a statement:
He was given immediate medical aid. Doctor looked for something to raise his head. Patient's attendant used the leg for the same. We've set up committee. Strict action will be taken if our staff is found to be at fault: Sadhna Kaushik, Principal,Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College pic.twitter.com/mLk6udOU1w
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 10, 2018
But her words were not acceptable to some who have called the situation a gross display of medical apathy. Somehow the fact that the staff looked for something to prop his head up was enough to justify the use of an amputated limb. Dr. KK Agarwal, who is president of the India Medical Association, issued a statement on Twitter:
She should have apologised, mistakes do happen, this is an extreme degree of mistake and she (Sadhna Kaushik, Principal, Jhansi Medical College) should have taken the responsibility: Dr. KK Agarwal, President, IMA #FightMedicalApathy
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) March 10, 2018
Those aspiring to become MBBS and they find this kind of attitude from the Principal, I think they are not going to feel happy, she (Sadhna Kaushik, Principal, Jhansi Medical College) should apologise: Dr. KK Agarwal, President, IMA #FightMedicalApathy pic.twitter.com/xDBslOVIpf
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) March 10, 2018
The National Human Rights Commission even got involved:
National Human Rights Commission issues notices to the Government of Uttar Pradesh and Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare over reports of a patient's amputated leg placed as a pillow at Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College in Jhansi.
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 12, 2018
It appears that an investigation into the incident is still underway.
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