Hospital misplaces patient's severed finger

Kolkata: A private hospital in the city was accused of medical negligence after a patient's severed finger got misplaced before the surgery to join it back to his hand.

According to sources, on Wednesday afternoon, Nilotpal Chakraborty of Andul in Howrah was riding his bike along the Foreshore Road in Howrah. While riding the bike, Chakraborty met with an accident and fell from the bike. His middle finger placed in between the clutch and the handle bar got severed due to excessive pressure.

He was immediately rushed to a private hospital in Howrah along with the severed finger where he was recommended to go to a private hospital at Ekbalpore.

The severed finger was wrapped in ice and given to Chakraborty's family members.

After he was taken to the hospital, Chakraborty's family members were told that the hospital staff are busy and some were watching a world cup match. They said the finger will be preserved and will be stitched back to Chakraborty's hand on Thursday morning as such operation can be done within 24 hours after the organ gets severed.

Chakraborty was admitted and given necessary treatment. On Thursday morning, while preparing for the operation, hospital staff and nurses found that the finger was missing from the preservation area. Since 8 am, on Thursday, despite repeated searches, the finger was not found.

After 2 pm, hospital authority informed Chakraborty's family members that the finger was missing and even if the finger is found, it cannot be attached as 24 hours had passed.

Hearing this, patient's family members started protesting. Later, a complaint was lodged at the Alipore police station and a FIR was lodged under sections of Medical Negligence Act.