Tragic Medical Mismanagement: A Son's Heartbreaking Story
Understanding Medical Kidnapping
Abhinav Verma's mother, aged just 50, experienced severe abdominal pain. A nearby private hospital was consulted, where Dr. Kaniraj recommended an ultrasound. The ultrasound revealed gallstones, and he assured that a minor surgery would restore her health.
After the procedure, Abhinav took his mother home, and her pain subsided with painkillers.
Days later, Dr. Kaniraj called Abhinav, warning that leaving the gallstones untreated could be dangerous, urging immediate surgery for his mother.
Upon returning to the hospital, another doctor, Mohammad Shabbir Ahmed, an endoscopy expert, suggested an ERCP for precautionary measures.
Dr. Ahmed suspected a 0.05% chance of pancreatic cancer. Trusting the doctor's expertise, Abhinav consented to biopsies of both the pancreas and gallbladder.
Despite negative results, his mother began suffering severe pain post-procedure, leading to her admission to the ICU due to suspected internal bleeding.
Initially, all her liver, heart, kidney, and blood tests were normal. However, doctors soon claimed her liver was affected, and dialysis would be necessary for her kidneys.
One day, they stated her blood pressure was dangerously low, necessitating a pacemaker. After its installation, her condition deteriorated further, with increasing abdominal pain and failing organs. She had been in the ICU for over a month.
Eventually, the doctor indicated an issue with oxygen supply, requiring surgery. However, before proceeding, he demanded a substantial upfront payment.
In desperation, Abhinav rushed to gather funds from relatives and friends, managing to pay the required amount. Yet, the surgery was canceled despite the payment.
Abhinav received no explanations for his mother's declining health, only prescriptions and blood transfusions while he faced financial and emotional exhaustion. Communication with the doctors was limited to financial transactions.
His mother, in a state of unconsciousness, suffered greatly. Abhinav lamented that she had only experienced mild discomfort before this ordeal. It seemed the hospital had cast a shadow over his once vibrant mother.
After 50 days in the ICU, she passed away in agony.
The costs were staggering: ₹4.3 million for hospital bills, ₹1.2 million for medications, and 50 units of blood. Abhinav's mother was placed in the morgue, and he was pressured to settle the remaining payments, with bouncers stationed around her body.
Abhinav insisted on an independent review of his mother's medical records and body. The hospital reluctantly agreed.
The findings revealed that there had never been any gallstones in Abhinav Verma's mother's gallbladder.