Chandigarh
1 November 2018
DIVYA AZAD
The District Consumer Forum-II, Chandigarh today allowed an application for appointment of an expert medical board in a case of medical negligence case against PGI and its then Head of ENT Department, Dr. Ashok Gupta filed by a Bhatinda resident. The Forum has told the Director, Govt. Medical College & Hospital, Sector 32 to constitute a Medical Board to examine the patient-complainant Richa Verma and medical documents and submit the Expert Opinion report within two months. The case will again be taken up on 26.12.2018, after submission of report.
Earlier, Richa Verma of Bhatinda filed a complaint through her counsel Pankaj Chandgothia, contending that she went to PGI with a complaint of partial hearing loss in her left ear, in April, 2014. Dr. Ashok Gupta, the then head of ENT Department assured her of hearing recovery after a minor surgery. However, after the operation conducted on 28.05.2014, the problem worsened instead of improving. After repeated visits, the Doctor performed a second surgery on 12.11.2014, but again the operation turned out to be a failure. Chandgothia contended that if the doctor was not sure of improvement, he should have adopted a conservative approach and suggested use of hearing aid instead of operating. Now, the patient had suffered 100% hearing loss due to the operation and even a hearing aid is of no use to her.
Chandgothia contended that the PGI had failed to produce any medical records regarding the procedure and operation performed, inspite of directions by the court. PGI has stated that they do not have any medical records of the patient as she was treated as an OPD patient. Chandgothia said that in the absence of such documents, it would be necessary to get the patient examined by a Medical Board and obtain its expert opinion regarding the medical negligence committed.
The case has been adjourned to 26.12.2018 for submission of report
