Saroj Hospital Medical Negligence: NMC Takes Action - The Probe Impact

Saroj Hospital Medical Negligence: Doctor Penalised in Gargi Meena Death Case, Family Seeks Stronger Action

The National Medical Commission’s (NMC) Ethics and Medical Registration Board (EMRB) has taken disciplinary action following the tragic death of Gargi Meena, who allegedly died due to medical negligence at Saroj Hospital in New Delhi. Less than two months after The Probe highlighted her case on June 26, 2024, the EMRB has ordered the suspension of Dr. Nisha Jain, the gynaecologist involved, for a period of three months. Dr. Vivek Gupta, the anaesthetist, received a formal warning, while Dr. Greesh Kumar Manwani, the physician, was advised to exercise greater caution in patient follow-ups.

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However, for Uttam Chand Meena, Gargi's husband, the board's decision is far from satisfactory. "I am relieved that I got some relief from the NMC, but this is not complete justice. This is partial justice," Uttam stated. He expressed his frustration over what he believes is an inadequate punishment, emphasising that Dr. Nisha Jain lacked the necessary qualifications to conduct surgeries. Uttam plans to challenge the NMC's order in the Delhi High Court, seeking harsher penalties for the doctors involved in his wife's death.

“The Board orders removal of name from Indian Medical Register & State Medical Register of DMC for a period of THREE MONTHS in respect of Dr Nisha Jain, warning to Dr Vivek Gupta and advice to Dr Greesh Kumar Manwani to be more careful in follow-up of patients,” stated the EMRB order. 

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How Gargi Meena Died

In 2018, the Meena family's plans for a pleasure trip were disrupted when Gargi Meena, wife of Uttam Chand Meena, experienced mild stomach pain. As a precaution, they took her to Saroj Super Speciality Hospital in New Delhi, where an unexpected series of events unfolded. 

Despite her symptoms not being severe, doctors insisted on immediate surgery, claiming she was bleeding heavily due to her menstrual cycle and fibroids, according to the victim's husband. Uttam, initially advised against the procedure, reluctantly agreed after a dire warning from the hospital’s gynaecology head. Following the surgery, Gargi’s condition rapidly deteriorated, leading to her admission to the ICU due to uncontrollable blood sugar levels. 

Tragically, she did not survive. Uttam Chand Meena blamed the hospital for gross medical negligence, turning what was supposed to be a simple check-up into a nightmare that ended in his wife’s death.

In our previous story, Uttam Chand Meena recounted the tragic sequence of events leading to his wife Gargi Meena's death at Saroj Super Speciality Hospital. What began as a routine check-up for mild stomach pain turned into a nightmare when doctors insisted on surgery despite no apparent signs of distress. Following the procedure, Uttam stated that Gargi's condition worsened, and she was eventually placed on a ventilator. 

Uttam told The Probe that he was shocked when the hospital demanded payment, despite his cashless medical benefits. Later, he alleged that the staff pressured him, warning that Gargi could die without further intervention. Unfortunately, Gargi passed away on March 31, 2018, leaving the family questioning the hospital's actions and suspecting medical negligence.

Saroj Hospital Case: Legal Battle and the Pursuit of Justice

After Gargi Meena's death, her family's lawyer, Prashant Vaxish, revealed that the hospital staff were uncooperative, withholding crucial treatment documents. Legal battles ensued, with the Rohini court yet to frame charges against the doctors, and a separate case filed for impersonation against a doctor without a valid degree. 

The Delhi High Court is also involved in related cases, including one highlighting that 56% of the nurses at Saroj Hospital were unregistered. Despite the Delhi Nursing Council (DNC) urging the closure of the hospital due to this, no action has been taken. 

The Delhi Medical Council's order in this case stated that Dr. Nisha Jain, the doctor in question "failed to exercise a reasonable degree of skill, care, and knowledge expected of a prudent doctor in managing the case". The order also pointed out that "Dr. Vivek Gupta, the anaesthetist, failed to exercise due diligence in record-keeping", and "Dr. Greesh Manwani, the physician, was not diligent in the management of the patient". 

A husband’s fight for justice

For Uttam Chand Meena, the relief from the National Medical Commission (NMC) is a bittersweet victory. While he acknowledges the partial justice achieved, the journey to this point has been fraught with struggles and sacrifices. "I have three children, and I had to take care of them. Every day, I had to work to provide for them, and in the evenings, I would meet with my lawyers, often staying with them until 11 p.m.," Uttam recounted. "It wasn't easy to get even this partial relief from the NMC."

Despite the hardships, Uttam remains resolute in his pursuit of justice. He plans to appeal the NMC's decision in the Delhi High Court, seeking a more severe punishment for the doctors of Saroj Hospital involved in his wife's death. He expressed deep gratitude to his legal team, Advocates Prashant Vaxish and Ajit Kumar Gola, and thanked the media, particularly The Probe, for the extensive coverage of the case. "The Probe’s detailed story exposed medical negligence and created awareness in society," Uttam said.

His fight against Saroj Hospital, he insists, is not just for his family alone but for countless others who have lost their loved ones to medical negligence. "This case should serve as an inspiration to families fighting for justice for their loved ones," Uttam added.

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