In a significant ruling, the Telangana State Consumer Redressal Commission has dismissed the appeal of a doctor accused of removing a patient’s kidney during surgery for kidney stones. The commission upheld the verdict of the Karimnagar District Consumer Disputes Forum, which had ordered the doctor to pay ₹6 lakh in compensation for medical negligence. The case revolves around the surgery of Boosa Mallaiah, a resident of Kalvasrirampur village in Karimnagar district, who underwent treatment at Seva Sankalp Kidney Hospital in 2004.
Mallaiah had approached the hospital with severe abdominal pain in November 2004. After a series of medical tests, he was diagnosed with kidney stones that required surgical intervention. Following the diagnosis, Mallaiah deposited ₹6,000 for the procedure, which was conducted the next day by Dr. S. Ram Gopal.
However, post-surgery, complications were reported, and the patient’s wife was informed that Mallaiah needed to be transferred to Hyderabad for further treatment. He was subsequently admitted to the Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) in Hyderabad, where another operation was performed. Despite the additional treatment, Mallaiah began experiencing abdominal discomfort again some time later. Seeking further consultation, he visited Dr. R. Yakaiah at the Venkateshwara Kidney Center, where it was discovered that his right kidney was missing.
The revelation prompted Mallaiah to file a police complaint, resulting in the registration of an FIR and the filing of a chargesheet against Dr. Gopal. In defense, Dr. Gopal claimed that during the initial surgery, the patient had a large kidney stone measuring 29 mm. He asserted that excessive bleeding during the operation had led to a life-threatening situation, necessitating the removal of the kidney to save Mallaiah’s life.
The Telangana commission, however, found the doctor’s justification insufficient. Upon reviewing the case, the commission identified several lapses in the doctor’s conduct and questioned the necessity of performing a nephrectomy (kidney removal) when the surgery had initially been planned for the removal of kidney stones. The panel further criticized the lack of transparency surrounding the post-operative complications.
The commission upheld the earlier ruling of the Karimnagar District Consumer Disputes Forum, which had awarded ₹6 lakh in compensation to Mallaiah for the medical negligence. This verdict serves as a reminder of the critical importance of patient care and procedural clarity in the medical profession.
(Input From Various Sources)
(Rehash/Ankur Deka/MSM)
