14 December,2010 06:44 AM IST | | Priyanka Vora
Woman also claims Bombay Hospital doctors were negligent while treating her
In damning allegations, 42-year-old lawyer Hufriz Wadia has accused Bombay Hospital doctors of compromising on her treatment allegedly for the sake of a record the doctors were aiming for.
A resident of Churchgate, Wadia who underwent an angiography at the hospital a month back claims she didn't need the procedure, performed carelessly by doctors, who were aiming to set a record for having done the most angiographies. She says that after being discharged, two cardiologists told her that she had no cardiac problems.
Hufriz Wadia claims the doctors at Bombay Hospital compromised on her treatment;u00a0Dr B K Goyal heads the unit she was admitted in
After a strong-worded letter (a copy of which is with MiD DAY) to hospital authorities and trustees alleging medical consumerism and negligence, she has complained to the Maharashtra Medical Council, a body that probes such complaints by patients.
The incident
On October 27, Wadia, who already had one of her ovaries removed after a case of endometriosis, experienced acute pain in left arm.
She was taken to the intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Bombay Hospital where she was administered blood thinners.
"Dr B K Goyal said that my ECG tests showed changes and he would like to do an angiography to find out if there is a blockage.
As I started menstruating, I was bleeding profusely because of the blood thinners. The nurses and doctors didn't treat me or call a gynaecologist," the letter states.
The allegation
In her letter, Wadia questions hospital authorities, "Why was it heard that the doctor concerned wanted to create a record of having done the most angiographies?"
Senior doctors from Bombay Hospital told MiD DAY that doctors there have to undergo a monthly review regarding the number of patients they treat.
"In case a doctor brings lesser number of patients than the earlier month, they are issued warnings," said a hospital doctor.
A cardiologist said, "Other non-invasive investigations like cardiac scan, stress test, etc can be done, instead of an angiography."
The Other Side
Dr B K Goyal, the cardiologist heading the unit, told MiD DAY to speak to Dr Shalimar Gautam, who said, "The patient had a medical history of endometriosis and her left ovary was removed.
So we advised an angiography, as the chances of having a heart blockage are higher in such patients. If the patient has any problem, she should have come to the consultant."
Dr R V Patil, joint director (medical services), Bombay Hospital, said, "I haven't seen the complaint and thus cannot comment."
