Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Aug 7: A woman who sued a doctor for medical negligence following her husband's death in 2010 has won the case, said Latha C S Holla, an advocate from Mangaluru, in a press meet held on Friday August 7.

"Srilatha M Hedge, wife of the late Mahim Kumar Hegde, had sued Dr Y G Ashok Kumar for medical negligence in her husband’s death and has now won the case," Latha Holla said.

Mahim Hegde

Mahim was a resident of Herebettu and also president of JD(S) party, Udupi district.

Narrating the case history, Holla said that despite being a physician Dr Kumar had failed to identify the symptoms of cardiac disease and neglected Mahim's condition, which she said resulted in his death on June 10, 2010.

"Mahim was a regular patient of Dr Kumar and also a friend. He had been undergoing treatment since 2004 for several conditions such as blood pressure, diabetes, and fatigue. On June 8, 2010, Mahim complained of chest pain and sweating, and approached the doctor who gave him a prescription for 20 days and said that his condition was quite normal. The next night, he complained of severe chest pain along with some sensation in the stomach, vomiting, sweating, and giddiness," said Holla.

"On the morning of June 10, 2010, he consulted Dr Kumar again but was advised to approach Gandhi Hospital. After that, without conducting ECG, angiography, or any other tests, he was advised to go to Yenepoya Hospital in Mangaluru for treatment but it was too late by then. The hospital authorities declared him dead," she added.

The lawyer further added that Dr Kumar had completed his MBBS degree and thereafter MD in internal medicine from a recognized university but he had no certification as a cardiologist and nephrologist. "He displayed helplessness at the last minute. Only then did the deceased’s family know the truth about him. Srilatha complained in the Consumer Court and got a favorable verdict and justice was done," said Holla.

As per the court verdict, Dr Kumar has to pay a compensation of Rs 15,00,000 and Gandhi Hospital has to pay Rs 10,000 within the stipulated time, else they will have to pay an interest of 12 percent on the amount as well.

"Both Gandhi Hospital management and Dr Kumar have to also pay court expenses of Rs 5,000. After all these developments, he still calls himself ‘cardiologist and nephrologist’ and has hung a consulting board in front of his clinic near Kunjibettu. The family of Mahim wanted to create public awareness about such physicians, hence called this press meet," she added.

Mahim’s brother Shivprasad Hegde was also present at the press meet.