Medical Negligence in Tata Motors Hospital Killed My Sister - Brother

Medical Negligence Allegations and Patient's Death

Babita Rai, a 42-year-old woman known for her infectious laughter and warm heart, touched the lives of many around her. Her cheerful spirit and kindness were her trademarks. However, Babita's life took a devastating turn when she tragically passed away at Tata Motors Hospital in Jamshedpur last year. Her brother, Rajesh Rai, has come forward to The Probe, alleging that medical negligence led to her untimely demise.

According to Rajesh Rai, Babita had been suffering from abnormal bleeding and irregular periods since February 2022. Given that her husband was an employee of Tata Motors, the family naturally chose Tata Motors Hospital, as the company covers medical expenses. "When she went there for a check-up, it was found that she had an ovarian cyst. They gave her medication, but it wasn't working," Rajesh explained.

By August, Rajesh learned that ovarian cysts could potentially be cancerous and insisted that Babita undergo surgery immediately. In September, local doctor Indu Chauhan confirmed the cyst was cancerous and recommended open surgery instead of laparoscopic surgery. Consequently, Babita was admitted to Tata Motors Hospital on October 7th, with surgery scheduled for the 9th to remove the ovarian cyst, ovaries, and uterus, according to the family.

Unexpected Surgeon and Tragic Outcome, Alleges Family

The family had consented to the surgery being performed by senior doctor Somenath Ghosh. However, on the day of the surgery, Dr. Ghosh was absent, and junior doctor Shipra Sarkar, who had previously treated Babita, conducted the operati

Medical Negligence Allegations and Patient's Death

Babita Rai, a 42-year-old woman known for her infectious laughter and warm heart, touched the lives of many around her. Her cheerful spirit and kindness were her trademarks. However, Babita's life took a devastating turn when she tragically passed away at Tata Motors Hospital in Jamshedpur last year. Her brother, Rajesh Rai, has come forward to The Probe, alleging that medical negligence led to her untimely demise.

According to Rajesh Rai, Babita had been suffering from abnormal bleeding and irregular periods since February 2022. Given that her husband was an employee of Tata Motors, the family naturally chose Tata Motors Hospital, as the company covers medical expenses. "When she went there for a check-up, it was found that she had an ovarian cyst. They gave her medication, but it wasn't working," Rajesh explained.

By August, Rajesh learned that ovarian cysts could potentially be cancerous and insisted that Babita undergo surgery immediately. In September, local doctor Indu Chauhan confirmed the cyst was cancerous and recommended open surgery instead of laparoscopic surgery. Consequently, Babita was admitted to Tata Motors Hospital on October 7th, with surgery scheduled for the 9th to remove the ovarian cyst, ovaries, and uterus, according to the family.

Unexpected Surgeon and Tragic Outcome, Alleges Family

The family had consented to the surgery being performed by senior doctor Somenath Ghosh. However, on the day of the surgery, Dr. Ghosh was absent, and junior doctor Shipra Sarkar, who had previously treated Babita, conducted the operation, stated the family.

"We had given consent to senior doctor Somenath Ghosh for conducting the surgery. On the 9th, Dr. Somenath Ghosh did not come, and we weren't informed about that either. In his place, Dr. Shipra Sarkar, who was a junior doctor my sister used to go to earlier, performed the surgery," Rajesh stated.

Babita's family alleges that even after the surgery, the family remained in the dark about who had actually performed the operation. Hospital records show Dr. Somenath Ghosh's name had been struck off and replaced with Dr. Shipra Sarkar's.

Rajesh Rai recounts the timeline of events following the surgery: "The surgery started at about 12 o'clock and finished around 2:30 PM. When my sister came to the ward, we still did not know that Dr. Shipra Sarkar had performed the surgery instead of Dr. Somenath Ghosh. On the night of the 9th, my sister complained of a swollen belly to the nurse in my presence, but the nurse dismissed it. On the morning of the 10th, she said she was in pain, but they dismissed it as a gas problem and said there was no issue."

By the 11th, Babita's condition had not improved. "She still had fever and pain, but they gave her sedation and some basic medicines, making her sleep, and she remained unconscious. On the 10th and till the first half of the 11th, she was not visited by the operating doctors. Only on the evening of the 11th did Dr. Shipra Sarkar visit her, but even then, no scans or procedures were done to rule out complications," Rajesh explained.

The situation worsened on the morning of the 12th. "My sister's condition deteriorated; her blood pressure was low, and she had vomiting. That’s when they realised something was wrong. They performed an ultrasound, X-ray, and CT scan, and discovered it was a case of a bowel injury. That’s when they decided to do a second surgery—an open surgery," Rajesh said, highlighting the critical delay in addressing Babita's symptoms.

Did Medical Negligence Claim Babita's Life?

The first operation was conducted on the afternoon of October 9th. Despite Babita's consistent complaints of pain on the 9th, 10th, and 11th, her family questions why the doctors did not take her symptoms seriously and conduct thorough investigations to rule out any complications. The second surgery was performed on the 12th at around 2:30 PM, even though the doctors identified the problem at 8 AM that same day, according to the family. The family alleges that the significant delay in diagnosing the problem and post surgery complications led to Babita's tragic death.

Rajesh Rai, Babita’s brother, detailed the critical timeline and stated this was indeed a case of gross medical negligence: "On the 12th, around 2:30 PM, they started the surgery. They had discovered the issue at 8 AM, but because of the six-hour delay, her condition had further deteriorated. Initially when she was in the ICU, there was a ventilator and other support systems, but after the surgery, there was no ventilator or any support system. Witnesses have told us that her pulse and heart line showed a straight line, indicating she had passed away. However, due to the crowd in the hospital, out of fear, they took her to the ICU and put her on a ventilator and support system. On the 13th, around 7 PM, she was declared dead. For two hours before that, they didn't allow the family to visit her in the ICU. Before declaring her dead, they didn't allow anyone to enter the ICU for those two hours. They just removed the support system and declared her dead."

The Family's Legal Battle

Since the death of his sister, Rajesh Rai has been relentlessly seeking justice. From the Prime Minister's office to the local police station, he has knocked on every door, determined to find answers. Rai claims that the wheels of justice are moving painfully slow in this case, leaving his family in anguish.

Rajesh Rai elaborated on the efforts made: "The complaint sent to the President's office, the National Commission for Women, and the PMO led to the formation of a Medical Board under the Civil Surgeon, Sadar Hospital, Jamshedpur. So far, the Medical Board's findings have not been released. During the same period, I sent an email to the Health Ministry on the suspicion of human organ trafficking and extreme medical negligence. The Health Ministry asked the National Medical Commission and the National Organ & Tissue Transplant Organisation to investigate the matter. The National Medical Commission issued a notice and asked the Jharkhand State Medical Council and the Jharkhand Health Directorate to investigate the matter. The Jharkhand Medical Council has not done anything until now. It has been about three to four months. What is the point? These days, I feel that Jamshedpur is in another country. It doesn't seem to be part of India at all. Here, the state government or central government doesn't work at all. Only Tata Motors is able to function here. Now they are trying to delay the case at every level. They don't want a criminal case against the hospital or the doctors. If there is a case, they only want it to be a civil case where they can provide compensation. I don't want any compensation. We have enough money. We want justice and justification for my sister's death."

Medical Board Report Raises Questions

A recent report from the Medical Board, chaired by the civil surgeon cum CMO of Jamshedpur, has highlighted inconsistencies and concerns regarding Babita Rai's case. The report states, "It is questionable under what circumstances the name of Dr. Ghosh was cut off in the upper side of the form, whereas in the lower portion of the consent form, consent for surgical operation and other procedures continues with the name of Dr. Ghosh."

Additionally, the report mentions that two days after the surgery, Babita experienced severe abdominal pain and four episodes of vomiting, which were managed with medications. This raises the crucial question: why weren't immediate investigations conducted to determine what was wrong with Babita’s health?

The report further indicates that Babita likely suffered post-operative complications, possibly in the form of sigmoid colon perforation and fecal peritonitis. The Medical Board has recommended that the case be reviewed by a senior consultant laparoscopic surgeon, gynecologist, anesthetist, and radiologist for their expert opinions. However, like the rest of the reports, this report is also pending.

We reached out to Mr. Prantik Chakraborty, the DGM of Corporate Communications at Tata Motors Jamshedpur. Mr. Chakraborty stated, "Since the matter is under investigation by the Medical Board, the hospital will adhere to the findings of the Medical Board’s final inquiry report."

Only a thorough investigation can determine the true cause of Babita's death, and the investigations are currently underway. However, the slow pace of the justice process is raising concerns. There are suspicions of medical negligence that need to be addressed. At the end of the day, a young life has been lost, and it is crucial to uncover the truth and ensure justice is served.

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