Showing solidarity with a colleague, city doctors worked together to diffuse a potentially tense situation on Wednesday. The relatives of a patient, whose complicated surgery was followed by an infection requiring a follow-up surgery, raised a ruckus at a Sadar hospital accusing the doctor of negligence. It was only after the intervention of police and other doctors that the situation was resolved.

Twenty–four–year–old hawker Amit Tiwari had sustained multiple fractures after meeting with an accident on Dussehra. He was rushed to Dr Anil Masand's nursing home at Sadar. After the first surgery, Amit developed complications with puss formation in his injured leg, requiring another surgery. His friends and relatives created a ruckus at the hospital accusing the doctor of negligence.

"While admitting Amit we had made it clear that his family had financial problems, and asked the doctors the cost of surgery. After that, some of us got together and raised Rs 40,000 for the fee," said social worker Harish Sisodiya, an acquaintance of the Tiwari family.

Dr Masand, however, claims Amit had a compound fracture and the infection was present right from the beginning. "We needed to observe how the patient responded to the first surgery to be sure whether or not a second one was required. We quoted Rs 50,000 as an approximate cost of treatment. On being informed that Amit needed another surgery, his friends and family went berserk to the extent that I had to call the police," said the oprthopedic surgeon.

He stressed that his team had taken the best possible care of the patient. Dr Masand himself tried to make an arrangement to get Amit treated at Government Medical College and Hospital. “All arrangements were made when suddenly the family refused to go to GMCH for further treatment, saying they won't be able to afford it,“ he said.

Another orthopaedic surgeon from the city, Dr Makrand Dhopavkar, confirmed that victims of road accidents, especially those with open wounds were more susceptible to bacterial infections.

PSI KK Gedam from Sadar police station, who went to the hospital after Dr Masand's complaint, said the situation was not very bad but there were heated arguments between the two parties. Many city doctors also rushed to the nursing home to intervene.

Dr Pradeep Rajderkar, president of the city chapter of Indian Medical Association, said, “Getting violent is not the way to handle any situation. The state government has a law to prosecute doctors for medical negligence. Similarly, if the doctor's property is damaged, it can land one in jail with a non-bailable warrant.“

Senior orthopaedic surgeon Dr RM Chandak was consulted and agreed to take over the treatment. Later, Amit's friends said they were ready to raise another Rs 25,000 for treatment if needed.