Computer operator develops paralysis after Ghatkopar nursing home ties him to bed

A budding computer operator at a leading multinational company in Mumbai, who’s barely in his 30s, ended up with paralysis in his hands and legs after he went to a local nursing home to seek treatment for fever.

After developing high grade fever on July 29, Ghatkopar-based Rohidas Pokharkar visited a local homeopath Dr Sameer Bhor, who administered two intravenous injections. The patient, later, developed convulsions and was referred by Bhor to Shantiniketan Nursing Home in Ghatkopar West. After spending 13 days in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Pokharkar developed grievous wounds around both his hands, legs and underarms.

His relatives allege that Pokharkar was tied to the bed by his hands, legs and shoulders during the 13 days that he spent at the ICU. “My brother had seizures twice. He was tied to the bed with rough white gauze bandages by his hands and legs. A blanket was wound around his chest and his shoulders were forcefully suspended,” says Vilas Pokharkar, Rohidas’s younger brother.

On August 17, Rohidas was referred to KEM Hospital by Dr Praful Lokhande, owner of Shantiniketan Hospital, after the patient’s bill totalled Rs1,25,000. “We could not afford treatment at that nursing home. Moreover, my hands and legs were not functioning,” says Rohidas.

On examining the patient, the doctors at the neurology department of KEM ruled that he suffered from nerve palsy in the limbs and pressure sores in the underarms region as he was tied to the bed in an unruly fashion for over 13 days.

Dr Praful Lokhande, however, remains in denial. “He was restrained only for a day as he was acting in a rowdy manner. We restrained him to administer medicine. The wounds were caused due to the restraints. But more importantly, his life was saved as we managed to treat him for his fever,” says Dr Lokhande.

Rohidas alleges that both Dr Bhor and Dr Lokhande landed him in a nightmarish situation through faulty administration of medicines and by tying him to the bed without supervising his wounds. “I have been bedridden since the past three months. I have lost my job as my primary work was typing on computer. With paralysed hands, I cannot work any more,” he told dna.

Rohidas has been attending physiotherapy sessions at the charity-run Hindusabha Hospital in Ghatkopar West the past fortnight. “His hands are showing slight movement with physiotherapy and electric stimulation treatment. But the doctor said he requires surgery to correct his nerve disorder,” says brother Vilas. “The surgery runs into Rs2 lakh. We do not have funds. We have already spent over Rs4 lakhs in hospital bills and on medication.”

Vilas plans to approach the consumer court to seek damages and has written to Dr Lokhande informing him the same. “I have, however, not received any intimation. His is a rare case.
However, after he developed wounds we have instructed our staff to restrain patients gently and with adequate monitoring,” says Lokhande.