Barwani— Tensions flared at the Barwani District Hospital after Dr. Anupam Batra, an ENT specialist, was accused of medical negligence in the treatment of a facial fracture, leading to a potentially life-threatening condition for the patient.
The patient, Shobharam Kirade from Lingwa village in Dhar district, sought treatment at the district hospital on April 9 after sustaining a facial bone injury. Instead of receiving treatment at the government facility, Kirade was referred to Ashagram, a private hospital, where doctors sealed his mouth shut using dental wiring.
Life-Threatening Complication
During a follow-up visit, a separate facial specialist informed Kirade that the procedure was improperly performed, and warned that failure to remove the wiring promptly could become fatal. Unable to consume even water, Kirade has since filed a police complaint seeking legal action against the responsible medical personnel.
Allegations of Exploiting Poor Patients
The incident has sparked outrage among local communities. Sandeep Nargawane, a member of Jay Adivasi Yuva Shakti (JAYS), condemned the treatment and accused some doctors of exploiting poor patients by referring them to private institutions for kickbacks.
“If immediate and strict action is not taken, we will launch a massive protest,” Nargawane warned, adding that he would escalate the matter to the district administration.
The incident is under preliminary review by authorities, with pressure mounting from patient advocacy groups and tribal rights organizations for accountability and a broader investigation into referral practices at public hospitals.
