Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Jun 25: After holding detailed inquiry into a complaint received against Bangalore-based radiologist Dr Naveenchandra Urs, Karnataka Medical Council has struck off his name from its register for six months. The radiologist was facing the charge of dereliction of duty by not caring to provide suitable treatment to the boy referred to him and going out of station, leaving his patient in a precarious condition.

Gopalakrishna, a 12-year old boy suffering from hemia angioma was referred to Dr Naveenchandra for treatment on December 26, 2003.  The doctor, who initially assured the parents of the patient that he would be able to cure the boy, failed to take concrete steps. There was a difference of opinion over putting the boy through the embolization process between Dr Urs and the surgeon. The doctor was accused of not keeping the parents informed of this development.

The boy in the meantime, suffered from various complications like burning eyes, pain in the right leg etc. When the worried mother enquired, the doctor told her that the problem was an after-affect of anaesthesia. The boy suffered from breathing problems the next day. The parents were considering alternatives when they came to know that their son had died. When they wanted to enquire, they were told Dr Naveenchandra had gone to some other place the previous night.

The Medical Council, which heard the case, felt that the doctor concerned had exhibited negligence in leaving the town when his patient was vacillating between life and death and that this was a violation of the medical code of conduct.