Private Clinic, Surgeon in Kupwara Come Under Scanner As 35-year-old Man Operated Upon Dies of Alleged Medical Negligence

Kupwara : District administration Kupwara has constituted a committee to look into facts into an alleged case of medical negligence by a surgeon practicing at a private clinic here, involving the death of a 34-year-old man from Potushahi Lolab.

The family talking said that the patient Mudasir Ahmad Sofi, son of Abdul Rashid Sofi complained of pain upon which they took him to SDH Kupwara. “After assessing the patient, the doctors there prescribed some medication, however the complications didn’t subside”, they said adding “Upon sensing emergency the patient went to ESS BEE clinic where a doctor by the name of Mohammad Jaffer told the patient he had gallstones and suggested him to undergo laser surgery.”

“After booking the appointment, we took him to the clinic for the surgery on April 8, 2023, however once he was taken inside the operation theater, we grew apprehensive as he wasn’t brought out even after 3 hours”, they said adding “Upon our insistence the doctors told us that he (patient) was in recovery room.”

“After our continuous persuasion over his well-being, the doctors told us the patient is facing uncontrollable bleeding and upon sensing a chance the doctors in a bid to save their skin referred the patient to SMHS Hospital Srinagar”, they said adding “Upon assessment by the doctors there said that the patient has multiple cuts on critical organs as the doctors at the ESS BEE clinic had performed two additional surgeries without knowledge or consent of the attendants.”

“The patient had suffered so many injuries, that the doctors there (SMHS Hospital) asked us, whether the surgery was carried out at some clinic or by us on our own”, they lamented.

“After remaining there for nearly a month, he eventually succumbed on May 11, 2023”, they said.

Expressing their resentment against the clinic and the doctor entrusted with the responsibility to perform the surgery on the patient, the family alleged it was a sheer case of medical negligence from the concerned. “Not only the patient was made to undergo two additional surgeries for the ailment, which otherwise could have easily performed, but he was made to sustain multiple injuries on several vital organs, leading to his death despite all necessary efforts made by the doctors at SMHS hospital.”

Taking cognizance of the allegations, the District Administration reached out to the family to take a firsthand account of the things.

Deputy Commissioner Kupwara Dr. Doifode Sagar Dattaray, as per GNS said that a board, headed by ADC Kupwara, has been constituted to look into the matter to fix responsibility, if any, against anyone. “We expect that the report will be brought forward as soon as possible and action as needed will be taken in the matter”, he said.

Meanwhile ADC Kupwara alongside CMO Kupwara and other officials visited the family on Tuesday.

An order into the constitution of the enquiry regarding the death of the 34-year-old man, reads as; “Wheras, this office received a representation from Abdul Rashid Sofi, resident of Potushahi, Lolab, where-under it has been submitted that his son namely Mudasir Rashid Soli Age, 35 years complained of abdomen pain; and whereas, Dr Shahnawaz, Urologist of ESS BEE Clinic, Kupwara was consulted, who advised surgery of the patient for the removal of stone from ureter; and whereas on 8th of April, 2023, the after USG investigation, was admitted at around 3:00 PM for surgery in ESS BEE Clinic, Kupwara.”

“Whereas, it has been alleged that the patient was operated upon in ESS BEE, Kupwara, but was not takes on from the operation theatre for three hours and after repeated requests, Dr Shahnawaz informed the attendants that while operating the patient, bleeding has taken place and the patient is to be referred to SMHS straightway”, reads the order.

“Whereas, Dr Jaffar informed the attendants that while removing the Gallbladder of the patient, heavy bleeding occurred. Neither the patient/legal heirs were ready for or consulted with the removal of gallbladder nor had they recorded their consent”, the order citing the complaints made by the family reads.

“And whereas, the patient was referred to SMHS for further treatment where he was operated upon twice, but could not recover and succumbed to the injuries on 11 of May 2023 at SMHS Srinagar.”

The order further remarked that in the recent past, similar nature of the incident occurred at ESS BEE Clinic Kupwara, in which one pregnant lady namely Tahira Begum wife of Qaiser Ahamd Wani resident of Tikipora Lolab earlier admitted in the same institution and later on died at LD Hospital Srinagar, which is grave concern and needs to be examined as well.

“In view of the above and to ascertain the fact circumstances leading to the death of the patients and for fixing the responsibility of negligence, if any, a committee of Medical Board comprising of following officers headed by Additional Deputy Commissioner, Kupwara is hereby constituted for conducting of an in-depth enquiry into the incidents”, remarked the order.

When contacted, CMO Kupwara told that an enquiry has been initiated into the matter. “I can’t as such say anything as of now”, the medical officer said. (GNS)