Rarely do people own up to their mistakes, and voluntarily seek punishment. But a doctor has done just that.
Dr Pradyot Kumar Naskar, owner of the Southern Star Nursing Home in Sonarpur, near Kolkata, has held himself responsible for the death of Prabhati Patra, 33, a patient admitted to his nursing home on June 18 for an abortion. She died three days later following post-operative complications. Dr Naskar has lodged a complaint with the police charging himself with negligence.
The police are now wondering how to take action against the doctor. Prabhati’s family has not lodged any complaint.
SN Gupta, SP, South 24-Parganas district, said Dr Naskar had stated in his complaint that while performing the abortion, he had by accident caused a perforation in the patient’s uterus. “We have started a case on the basis of his complaint and have sought medical experts’ opinion,” Gupta said.
Dr Naskar told HT that this was the first time a patient under his care had died in this way, adding he had tried his best to keep her alive.
“During those days, I spent most of the time beside her bed and tried my best, but I failed. The family is very close to me. I feel I have lost a close relative,” Dr Naskar said.
The medical community is perplexed. Dr Sachhidananda Sarkar, chief medical officer (health), South 24-Parganas district, said it was a rare case of a doctor living up to the ethics of his profession.
{{/usCountry}}The medical community is perplexed. Dr Sachhidananda Sarkar, chief medical officer (health), South 24-Parganas district, said it was a rare case of a doctor living up to the ethics of his profession.
{{/usCountry}}Dr Tamonash Chowdhury, joint secretary, Indian Medical Association, said, “This is an interesting case. We have never heard this. But it is not possible to comment unless we know the details.”