The chief medical officer (CMO) of Pilibhit has found five doctors guilty of medical negligence after a woman died from septicemia on Dec 5 last year due to a surgical sponge being left inside her abdomen during a hysterectomy. The district magistrate has forwarded the report to the additional district magistrate (finance and revenue) for further action, while the state medical administration has also been informed.
Pilibhit DM Sanjay Kumar Singh had ordered an inquiry on Dec 10 after TOI highlighted the issue. The CMO, Dr Alok Kumar, held the doctors responsible for negligence, concealment of critical facts, flawed diagnosis, and improper surgical procedures. "The report has been sent to the ADM (finance and revenue) for a final decision regarding administrative and punitive action against the erring doctors. A copy is also being sent to the state medical administration for necessary intervention," Singh added.
As per the report, the doctors found guilty include assistant professor in the general surgery department Dr Ruchita Bora, senior resident Dr Saif Ali, and senior gynaecologist Dr Asha Gangwar, all posted at Autonomous State Medical College. Two private doctors, Dr Rambeti Chauhan and Dr Himank Maheshwari, were also held responsible.