Udupi: Karkala police registered a case against doctors at a private hospital following allegations of medical negligence.According to a complaint filed by Mubeena, her mother Zubaid,52, suffered from ill health for a considerable period and underwent treatment at a hospital in Karkala since May 10. Around 9.30 am on May 14, she developed severe abdominal pain and was taken to the same hospital for treatment. After examination, intravenous fluids were administered. It is alleged that despite repeated requests from the family for a doctor to examine the patient, no doctor attended to her for several hours. Around 1pm, Dr Nagaratna arrived and stated that an emergency operation was required as the patient’s life was at risk. The patient was immediately taken to the operation theatre. Dr Nagaratna, Dr Rehmatulla, and Dr KS Rao entered the operation theatre. Around 4 pm, Dr Rehmatulla came out and informed the family that the patient needed to be shifted to Mangaluru. However, when the family later checked inside the operation theatre, hospital authorities informed them that Zubaid passed away, the complainant stated. Based on this complaint, Karkala Town police registered a case. Following this, the deputy commissioner of Udupi sought a detailed inquiry into the alleged medical negligence. A report was submitted by Dr H Ashok, district surgeon, Govt District Hospital, Udupi. The report stated that the doctors failed to take essential precautionary measures prior to the surgery, and did not inform the patient’s relatives about her condition, despite having sufficient time. It was also confirmed through the doctors’ written statements that the patient died during the surgical procedure, police said. The report concluded that prima facie medical negligence on the part of the surgeons was evident. Based on these findings, Karkala Town police registered a case under Section 106 (causing death by negligence) read with 3(5) of the BNS. An investigation is under way.
