LADY DOCTOR PRESCRIBED KNEE X-RAY FOR THUMB INJURY

LADY DOCTOR PRESCRIBED KNEE X-RAY FOR THUMB INJURY

5-APRIL-ENG 12

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

PATNA------------------------Lady Doctor Prescribes Knee X-ray for Thumb Injury; When Questioned, Has Patient Thrown Out by Guard—Read the Truth About the Government Healthcare System. A patient, writhing in pain, arrived seeking treatment for a thumb injury; however, to diagnose the ailment, the doctor prescribed an X-ray of the knee instead. Not only that, but when the patient questioned this decision, the doctor behaved rudely, summoned a security guard, and had him shown the door.

On political platforms, claims regarding superior healthcare systems are often presented in a highly captivating manner; yet, the reality on the ground sometimes paints a picture that automatically exposes the hollowness of the rulers' assertions. The Nathnagar Referral Hospital in Bhagalpur is once again making headlines—and for the same old reasons: a toxic blend of negligence and unprofessional attitude.

Deepak Kumar, a resident of Digghi and a hotel manager by profession, had visited the hospital to seek treatment for an injured thumb. Writhing in pain following a motorcycle accident, little did the patient know that, in the name of medical treatment, he would instead be confronted with the true, ugly face of the system. The doctor on duty in the OPD did conduct an examination, but—straying far from reality—prescribed an X-ray of the knee instead of the thumb, as if the objective was not to treat an actual ailment, but merely to complete bureaucratic paperwork.

The story took a dramatic turn when the operator at the X-ray counter spotted this error and sent the patient back to have the prescription corrected. Deepak alleges that the moment he pointed out an error in the medical slip, the doctor's demeanor changed completely. "Are *we* the doctor, or are *you*?" This retort was not merely a response; it was an assertion of the power that often serves to silence the average patient. Matters reached a breaking point when a security guard was summoned to escort the patient off the premises.

Subsequently, thanks to the intervention of some staff members, the error in the slip was rectified, and the X-ray of the thumb was finally made possible. However, the pertinent question remains: must every patient endure such humiliation just to have their concerns addressed?

The doctor on duty, Dr. Anvesha, dismissed the incident as a mere "human error," claiming that the patient's aggressive behavior necessitated the summoning of a security guard. According to her, no mistreatment of any kind occurred. Yet, the real debate here is not about who is right or wrong, but rather: why do such errors occur with such alarming frequency? The question is—are you there to provide medical treatment, or something else entirely? Doctor, a mistake on your part could cost a patient their life. What happens if you intend to prescribe medication for pain but mistakenly prescribe medication for a heart condition—and then simply wash your hands of the matter by labeling it a "human error"?

It is worth noting that this very hospital has come under scrutiny on numerous occasions in the past. From complaints regarding the unavailability of doctors for burn victims during Saraswati Puja, to instances where patients could not even secure a stretcher—these various incidents bear witness to a systemic failure where arrangements appear flawless on paper, yet are conspicuously absent in reality.

Deepak Kumar has demanded that appropriate action be taken regarding this entire episode. It now remains to be seen what steps the authorities and officials will take; for if the current state of affairs persists, patients will continue to face such ordeals under the guise of receiving medical treatment.