Udupi : Dr Y G Ashok Kumar was taken to court for medical negligence, by Srilatha M.Hegde for the death of her husband late Mahim Kumar Hegde. in 2010. and has won the case, said Latha C S Holla, an advocate from Mangaluru, in a press meet held on Friday August 7.

Mahim was a resident of Herebettu and also president of JD(S) party, Udupi district and was on treatment under physician Dr Kumar. But he had failed to identify the symptoms of cardiac disease, which she said resulted in his death on June 10, 2010 due to neglect of Mahim’s condition.state the advocate while narrating the case history.

“Mahim was a regularly treated by Dr Kumar who was also a friend since 2004 for several conditions such as blood pressure, diabetes, and fatigue. On June 8, 2010, he complained of chest pain and sweating, and Dr.Kumar checked his condition and stated that he was normal and prescribed medicines for 20 days The very next day at night Mahim had complained of severe chest pain and some sensation in the stomach along with vomiting, sweating, and giddiness,” said Holla. Next morning Mahim consulted Dr Kumar again but was advised to approach Gandhi Hospital. No ECG, or angiography, was advised or done on him and was further 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.

Dr Kumar had completed his MBBS degree and thereafter MD in internal medicine from a recognized university but he was not a cardiologist and nephrologist. but did not state this to the patient, and till the last minute he displayed helplessness. But this truth was known only after the death of Mahim,. 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 15,000 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 and his brother wanted to create public awareness about such physicians, hence called this press meet,” she added.