Medical Negligence Case Filed in Udupi
Incident Overview
A case of medical negligence has been initiated against three doctors at a private hospital in Karkala after a patient died on the operating table. The family of the deceased claims that the patient suffered due to a treatment delay of approximately 3.5 hours.
Timeline of Events
The patient had been receiving treatment at the hospital since May 10. After her condition deteriorated, her family returned with her on May 14 at 9:30 AM. Despite numerous requests for assistance, no doctor attended to her for several hours. It was not until 1 PM that medical staff conducted an examination and recommended immediate surgery.
Surgery and Subsequent Events
During the surgical procedure, the family was informed that the patient needed to be transferred to another hospital. However, when they checked on her in the operating theatre, they were met with the tragic news that she had already passed away.
Investigation and Findings
In response to the family’s complaint, the Deputy Commissioner of Udupi ordered a comprehensive inquiry into the alleged negligence. The inquiry, led by Dr. H Ashok, District Surgeon of the Government District Hospital in Udupi, identified significant lapses on the part of the treating doctors.
Report Conclusions
The report indicated that the doctors neglected to take necessary precautions before the surgery and failed to communicate the patient’s condition to her relatives, despite having ample time to do so. It also confirmed that the patient died during the operation, based on written statements from the doctors. The inquiry concluded that there was clear evidence of medical negligence by the surgeons.
Legal Action Taken
Following the report’s findings, the Karkala Town police registered a case against the doctors under Section 106 (causing death by negligence), in conjunction with Section 3(5) of the BNS.
Background of the Incident
According to a report by TOI, the incident occurred on May 14, 2025, when the patient, suffering from severe abdominal pain, was admitted to the hospital at around 9:30 AM. Her daughter’s complaint states that although the patient was given intravenous fluids, there was no medical examination for several hours. It was only around 1 PM that a doctor examined her and determined that emergency surgery was necessary.
Family’s Reaction and Ongoing Investigation
After the surgery, which involved the three accused doctors, the family received news around 4 PM that the patient needed to be transferred to Mangaluru. They were subsequently informed of her death during the procedure. In light of these events, the family filed a complaint against the doctors, triggering an ongoing investigation into the matter.