"Bansal Hospital, Bhopal - Anil Bansal and Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. R. P. Singh found guilty of malpractice

The largest and prestigious hospital in the capital of Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal, where most VIPs of Madhya Pradesh go for treatment under all government schemes, has been found guilty of malpractice in the treatment of a patient. A woman, who was supposed to undergo a spine surgery, had her hips replaced instead, charging her four lakh rupees. The woman was pregnant, and the fetus died in her womb. The illness also did not improve. The Madhya Pradesh State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has imposed a penalty of ten lakh rupees on the hospital.

Nikhat Jahan against Bansal Hospital, Bhopal Case

Nikhat Jahan, a 35-year-old woman who filed an appeal in the Madhya Pradesh State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission against Bansal Hospital, narrated in her petition that in 2014, she experienced pain in her back and had difficulty walking. To get better treatment, she went to Bansal Hospital, where the doctor conducted several tests, including an MRI, and informed her that one hip was damaged and replacing it would cure the illness. The woman agreed to change her hip based on the doctor's advice.

Initially, they said one hip is damaged, later said both need to be replaced

Later, the doctors said that after some time, the other hip would also need to be replaced. So, it would be better to change both hips now. At that time, the woman was pregnant and wanted the best treatment to avoid any complications during childbirth. She agreed. The hospital collected four lakh rupees and replaced both hips.

Another doctor revealed that the operation was for the spine

Despite the operation at Bansal Hospital, Bhopal, the patient did not find relief from pain. On the contrary, due to this operation, the fetus's development was hindered, leading to a miscarriage. When she went to another doctor for treatment, it was revealed that she had spondylitis, requiring an operation on the spine bone, and there was no need to change the hips.

Director Anil Bansal and Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. R. P. Singh

The woman filed a petition against the Director of Bansal Hospital, Anil Bansal, and Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. R. P. Singh in the District Consumer Forum in 2016. The District Forum ruled in favor of the hospital. Dissatisfied, the patient appealed to the Madhya Pradesh State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in 2017. On Wednesday, the Commission's Chairman A. Tiwari and member Dr. Shrikant Pandey ordered the hospital to pay ten lakh rupees for treatment, including compensation for mental anguish, with a 7.5% interest. Additionally, they instructed the hospital to pay an extra twenty thousand rupees for litigation expenses.

Dr. R. P. Singh pressured the patient for total hip replacement

After examining the complete report, doctors from another private hospital informed the commission that the patient was almost four months pregnant and had to undergo an abortion. The commission, criticizing the hospital's doctors, mentioned that the patient had to endure unspoken pain, emotional stress, physical distress, loss of her unborn child, shock, and unnecessary expenses. Bansal Hospital charged nearly ten lakh rupees for expensive treatment and later called for physiotherapy at home, while Dr. R. P. Singh pressed the patient for total hip replacement, which was deemed unnecessary by doctors from another hospital, as she was suffering from a spine issue.

Dr. R. P. Singh held responsible for service deficiency

The commission held the hospital's doctors responsible for service deficiency and imposed a penalty. Despite so many operations, the patient did not recover. She lodged a complaint against the hospital. The State Consumer Forum held the hospital accountable."