9-year-old undergoes circumcision instead of ulcer treatment, doctor booked

Chennai: In a shocking case of alleged medical negligence, a nine-year-old boy who was admitted to a private hospital in the Ice House area for a mouth ulcer treatment ended up undergoing a circumcision procedure without his parents' consent. 

According to police sources, the doctor allegedly mistook the boy for another patient on whom circumcision was to be performed, but after learning about the incident, the shocked and distressed parents immediately shifted their son to another hospital and lodged a complaint against the doctor.

Based on the complaint, the doctor was booked under Sections 125(2) (act endangering life and personal safety of others) and 351(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

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Furthermore, the Directorate of Medical Services issued a show-cause notice to the doctor on Wednesday, seeking an explanation as to why action should not be taken against him. He has been directed to submit his response within three days.

The incident took place after the boy, a resident of Mylapore, was taken to the hospital on Besant Road by his parents on Saturday after he complained of pain and sores in his mouth. After examining the boy, the doctor diagnosed him with a mouth ulcer and recommended treatment for the same. However, without any prior discussion or consent, the doctor unexpectedly took the child to the operation theatre and performed a circumcision.

The parents were left shocked when the hospital later informed them that their son had undergone the procedure without their knowledge or approval. Disturbed by the incident, the parents immediately shifted their son to Omandurar Government Multi-Speciality Hospital for further care and approached the Ice House police.

Police said they are currently investigating whether the procedure was carried out due to a medical error or if it was done intentionally. Meanwhile, DT NEXT reported that the doctor allegedly confused the child with another patient scheduled for circumcision.

A police source told TNIE, “We are verifying whether the act was a result of negligence or deliberate wrongdoing. We have asked for an opinion from the Tamil Nadu Medical Council, and based on that we will file an FIR.”

Meanwhile, the Directorate of Medical Services issued a show-cause notice to the doctor on Wednesday, demanding an explanation within three days as to why action should not be initiated against him and the hospital for various violations. The notice highlighted several violations at the hospital, including the absence of qualified nurses and lab technicians.

Speaking to TOI, Dr J Rajamoorthy said, "The operation theatre in the hospital was not sterile. The hospital did not follow any protocol to maintain sterility. The hospital, which applied for a licence under the Clinical Establishment (registration and regulation) Act, has not been given the licence yet."

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