Bengal shocker: Man goes for hernia surgery, doctors remove appendix instead; kin cry ‘wrong operation done to claim govt funds’ | Kolkata News

The patient alleges the doctor performed the appendectomy to fraudulently claim funds from the Swasthya Sathi health scheme, as hernia surgeries are not covered.

KOLKATA: A Sodepur resident has alleged that the doctor had removed his appendix while he was admitted to the hospital for a hernia surgery. Incidentally, the patient and the accused doctor share the same name – Biswajit Das.The patient initially went to the Panihati State General Hospital for his hernia treatment. He was advised by the attending doctor to undergo a surgery at a private nursing home in Sodepur, which he allegedly owns. The doctor assured him that the procedure would be covered under the state-run Swasthya Sathi health scheme. However, hernia surgeries are not reimbursed under the scheme, whereas appendectomies are. The family now alleges that in order to claim govt funds, the doctor performed an unwarranted appendectomy instead.

Initially, the patient was told that the surgery was successful. “But days later, I began experiencing pain and swelling in the original hernia site in my lower abdomen. A follow-up ultrasound revealed that the hernia was left untreated, while the appendix was removed,” the patient said. North 24 Parganas CMHO Samudra Sengupta said a probe had been initiated. “There have been previous complaints against the doctor. If found guilty, strict legal action will be taken,” Sengupta told TOI.