Kolkata: Controversy has erupted at NRS Medical College and Hospital after a patient alleged that his appendix was removed while he was admitted for gallbladder stone removal surgery. The patient said he has already submitted a complaint to the hospital authorities and has now been admitted to a private nursing home in Salt Lake for gallbladder surgery.According to the complaint, Beleghata resident Gopal Porel was admitted to the state-run medical college a few weeks ago with acute abdominal pain. His family members claimed that doctors suspected appendicitis after investigations were conducted. However, the complaint alleges that instead of removing the gallbladder stone, doctors removed his appendix.Health minister Sharadwat Mukherjee said, “Ours is a very transparent government and department, and we will not shy away if there is such a complaint. The MSVP has been apprised, and we will get to know about the credibility of the complaint after going through the treatment records of the patient.”Mukherjee told TOI, “The preliminary report suggests that the patient was admitted sometime in July. The hospital will go through the treatment papers.”On Sunday, Trinamool MLA Kunal Ghosh said that the patient was poor and worked under the 100 days’ work scheme. He appealed to CM Suvendu Adhikari and health minister Sharadwat Mukherjee to help bear the cost of the patient’s medical treatment, as he is now admitted to a nursing home for surgery.Minister Mukherjee said he called Ghosh after hearing about the incident and discussed the matter with him. The minister also sought details of the complaint from the NRS MSVP.“I have spoken to Kunal Ghosh over the phone. I have extended support by offering treatment at any other medical college for the patient, but I am told that the patient will undergo the surgery on Monday,” Mukherjee told TOI.“Regarding the monetary help that the MLA sought for the patient, it is not my domain. But I will approach the CM if something can be done,” the health minister said.
