Karimnagar, October 23: A doctor at Seva Sankalp Kidney Hospital in Karimnagar has been ordered to pay INR 6 lakh in compensation for medical negligence after allegedly removing a patient's kidney during a procedure intended to treat kidney stones. The patient, Boosa Mallaiah, discovered his right kidney was missing following complications that arose after the procedure. Despite the doctor’s defence of facing a life-threatening situation during surgery, the case was deemed mishandled. After reviewing both sides, the Telangana State Consumer Redressal Commission upheld the previous ruling against the doctor.
This distressing case dates back to November 2004, when Mallaiah visited Seva Sankalp Kidney Hospital complaining of severe stomach pain. After undergoing medical tests, he was diagnosed with kidney stones and advised to undergo surgery to remove them. Mallaiah paid INR 6,000 for the procedure, which took place the following day. However, post-surgery complications arose, prompting the hospital to transfer him to NIMS in Hyderabad for further treatment.
A report from the Times of India details how Mallaiah later consulted another doctor due to recurring pain, only to learn that his right kidney had been removed without his knowledge or consent. The surgery was performed by Dr S Ram Gopal, who later argued that excessive bleeding during the procedure created a life-threatening scenario, necessitating the removal of the kidney. However, the commission found significant lapses in the doctor's handling of the case.
They questioned the rationale behind performing a nephrectomy when the original surgery was intended solely for the removal of kidney stones. The lack of adequate documentation and communication regarding the decision to remove the kidney raised further concerns about the standard of care provided. Ultimately, the Telangana State Consumer Redressal Commission affirmed the ruling of the Karimnagar District Consumer Disputes Forum, which had previously ordered the doctor to pay Mallaiah INR 6 lakh in compensation.