Wrong operation on woman: 3 doctors suspended

By Our Staff Correspondent

JAIPUR, NOV. 24. In a new twist to the sensational case involving removal of the uterus of a Dalit woman instead of her kidney stones, three more doctors and a staff nurse of Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital were suspended on Wednesday. The surgeon, Dr. R. K. Jenaw, who had performed the operation, was suspended earlier.

The incident, depicting gross negligence of doctors in this premier government hospital here, has sent shock waves across the State. A preliminary inquiry found the surgeon and the hospital staff guilty of callousness which led to the hysterectomy of the victim - Ms. Vimla Raigar - in place of another woman.

The State Government has sanctioned financial assistance of Rs. 1 lakh from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund to Ms. Vimla. The three doctors placed under suspension on Wednesday were the head of the Department of Surgery, Dr. J. M. Mehta; House Surgeon, Dr. Guru Dutt; and Assistant Professor, Department of Anaesthesia, Dr. R. C. Sonar.

While the nurse in-charge, Sarla Kutti, was also suspended, the post-graduate medical degrees of three doctors, who had assisted in the operation, were terminated following the inquiry committee indicting them in the case. These doctors are Dr. Dinesh Vyas, Dr. Kavita Jain and Dr. Guru Dutt.

The 25-year-old victim was admitted to SMS Hospital for removal of kidney stones. She was wrongly taken inside the operation theatre on November 18 in place of another woman with the same name and her uterus was removed despite protest. She had reportedly pointed out to the surgeons that she had to undergo only a minor operation, but her assertion was not heeded.

The Rajasthan High Court has also taken serious note of the incident and suo motu summoned the Superintendent of SMS Hospital, Dr. J. P. Rishi, to appear in the court with full records of the case.

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