Muzaffarnagar: An allegation of medical negligence and corruption has emerged from a government hospital in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, where a doctor has been accused of worsening the injury of a 14-year-old girl after her family allegedly failed to pay a bribe demanded for treatment.
According to the complaint, the doctor allegedly demanded Rs 25,000 to perform a surgical procedure on the girl. Her mother claimed that she paid Rs 8,000 but was unable to pay the remaining amount due to financial constraints. The girl is reportedly mentally unwell.
She claimed that treatment was initially delayed or denied because of the pending payment. She later approached the district administration, following which the District Magistrate directed the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) to ensure that the child received free treatment, as she came from an economically disadvantaged background.
Despite these instructions, the family alleges that hospital staff continued to demand the full amount and accepted partial payment with assurances that the remaining amount could be paid later.
The child's mother further claimed that during a follow-up visit, the doctor called her daughter for examination and allegedly forcibly manipulated her injured leg, resulting in severe pain. She alleged that she heard a cracking sound during the procedure and that the child’s condition deteriorated afterwards.
The family further alleged that repeated complaints to hospital authorities were not addressed, prompting them to approach the district collectorate seeking justice.
Reacting to the allegations, Chief Medical Officer Sunil Tiwari said it would be premature to draw conclusions without hearing the other side. He added that a detailed investigation will be conducted into the matter and strict action will be taken if any negligence or wrongdoing is found, reports News 18.
Further details are awaited as the investigation proceeds.