Doctor detained for medical negligence

A doctor at Landmark Hospital, Sector 33, has been arrested for alleged medical negligence in connection with the death of a 74-year-old woman, Amarjit Kaur, eight months ago.

The case was registered under Section 304-A (causing death by negligence) of the Indian Penal Code against Dr Parminder Singh and others based on the findings of a medical board constituted by the administration from UT.

The victim’s son Sukhwinder Pal Sodhi had filed a complaint stating that on March 16, his mother suffered a fractured femur and was admitted to the hospital for surgery. He requested the latest MRI-compatible implant for his mother. Amarjit was discharged a day after the operation.

Fifteen days later, on April 3, Sodhi returned to the hospital with his disoriented mother whose sodium levels were dangerously low. Despite these concerns, Dr Harsimran allegedly did not admit her and simply prescribed medication. The next day, she suffered severe convulsions and was rushed to the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, where she was admitted to the intensive care unit and put on a ventilator.

GMCH staff requested an MRI, but needed confirmation of implant compatibility. It was alleged that Dr Harsimran initially said the implant was MRI compatible, but refused to give written assurance, directing Sodhi to his father, Dr Parminder Singh, who also refused to provide confirmation written. This delay prevented the MRI and Amarjit’s condition worsened. She died on April 16 after remaining in intensive care for 12 days.

Following the complaint, a medical negligence committee was constituted under the chairmanship of Dr AK Attri, Principal Principal, Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32.

The committee, in its report submitted on July 9, concluded that while there were no complaints regarding the surgery itself, the follow-up care provided by the hospital was seriously lacking. Doctors failed to manage low sodium levels according to protocol and failed to provide crucial MRI compatibility information in a timely manner. These errors in medical management led to further complications and ultimately death, the committee said while terming the case as medical negligence.