Delhi: Fortis hospital doctors operate on wrong leg of 24-year-old boy

New Delhi: In an alleged case of medical negligence, doctors at a private hospital here have wrongly operated upon the left leg of a 24-year-old youth instead of the injured right leg.

The Delhi Medical Council has taken suo motu cognisance of the matter and initiated an enquiry into it.

Ravi Rai, a resident of Ashok Vihar, injured his right leg after he fell down from stairs on Sunday. He was rushed to Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh and underwent tests including CT-scan and X-Ray following which the doctors said that Ravi has suffered a fracture and that his condition was serious.

"Doctors told us that there was a fracture in the ankle of his right leg and that they need to do surgery to insert pins in his ankle for support.

"Trusting them we agreed for the surgery. But later, when our son gained consciousness, we realised that instead of the right leg, his left leg which was perfectly fine was operated," said Ramkaran Rai, father of the patient.

Meanwhile, the hospital issued a statement saying, "Patient safety is of paramount importance to us. We are deeply concerned and are looking into the matter and will take appropriate action as deemed necessary."

Ravi, a CA student, has been shifted to another hospital for further treatment.

"We have also complained to the police. And we will also approach Medical Council of India (MCI) and Delhi Medical Association (DMA) for justice. How can they operate left leg when the injury is on the right leg? This is grave negligence," the father said.

Delhi Medical Council Registrar Girish Tyagi said "we have taken suo motu cognisance. We will investigate the matter and take appropriate action."