Indore, June 26: In a case of medical negligence a patient who turned up for treatment at a private hospital was declared HIV positive and hospitalized for nearly a week.
The patient's family members decided to go for a retest after he faced social stigma and developed suicidal tendency only to learn that he was normal.
The hospital later retracted their report and apologized to the patient after his fresh test turned out to be negative.
A complaint was registered with the health department on Monday to investigate the matter and take action against the hospital authorities.
Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO), Dr Sharad Pandit told TOI, "We have received a copy of complaint. This appears to be a case of medical negligence. Hospital authorities should have confirmed the case before administering medication on the patient. We will investigate the matter and take action."
It happened about eight months back in October 2011, when Dilip Sharma (38), a resident of Bada Ganpati area, was admitted in Bombay Hospital following complaints of fever and stomach-ache.
Doctors suggested for detailed investigations including and HIV test. The report was positive.
Narrating his plight, Sharma told TOI, "In was shocked to see the positive HIV report and could not face family members and friends. I was subjected to medication for nearly three months. I have the receipts. The treatment at the hospital cost me more than Rs 1 lakh along with mental and physical agony. The health department should take necessary action so that such incidents are not repeated."
Sharma who has now undergone an intestinal surgery in another private hospital and is recovering, elaborating about his pain said, "Doctors on the basis of one report conducted HIV test of my wife and two daughters. But, the report turned out negative. I was feeling completely shattered and as the days passed and tension gripped me and I even decided to commit suicide," said Sharma.
"However, my wife and family stood by me and kept my morale high. My wife later advised for a retest and after three months of mental agony I visited the state-run Maharaja Yeshwantrao Hospital from where the blood sample was sent Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), National AIDS Research Institute, Pune for investigations". 10 days later, the report came as a sigh of relief for Sharma and his family members as reports were normal.
"I took the reports and showed it to the authorities of Bombay Hospital. They again conducted an HIV test and found the reports to be normal. They apologised and gave me a certificate accepting their negligence." If I would have not gone for retest test, I would have been taken for ride by the hospital, he added.
The matter has been put up before the Consumer Forum, which has issued notice to the Hospital.
Rahul Parashar, General Manager, Bombay Hospital, Indore talking to TOI denied putting the patient on HIV medication. He said the hospital will file a reply to the health department and consumer forum.
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