Lapses in NMCH, PATNA

Welcome to my blog! Today, we’re taking a hard look at Nalanda Medical College & Hospital (NMCH) in Patna. Once a beacon of healthcare in Bihar, NMCH has recently faced a string of troubling incidents that raise big questions about patient safety and hospital practices. Let’s dive into six of the most alarming cases—from missing body parts to prescription blunders—and explore what needs to change.

1. When a Deceased Patient’s Eye Went Missing

Date: November 16, 2024

Imagine losing a loved one, only to find a part of them gone. That’s what happened when 30-year-old Fantush Kumar died of a gunshot wound—and the next day, his left eye was discovered missing in the ICU mortuary. Hospital staff blamed nocturnal rats; the family suspected human foul play. The police filed an FIR, two nurses were suspended, and an internal medical board was set up.

2. Rat Attack on a Diabetic Patient’s Toes

Date: May 19, 2025

In a scene straight out of a horror story, a diabetic patient woke up to find four of their toes severed—allegedly gnawed off by rats that had infested the ward overnight. The fallout? Outrage on social media, an internal probe at NMCH, and a wider hygiene audit ordered by the Bihar Health Department.

3. A Scuffle over a Death Certificate

Date: May 13–14, 2025

Sixty-year-old Meena Devi came in for a simple fracture but died before surgery. When her son asked for an official death certificate on hospital letterhead, staff initially handed over plain paper—sparking a heated fight between family members, junior doctors, and security guards. The police intervened, and the hospital eventually issued the correct paperwork, citing medical complications.

4. Pediatric Prescription Overdose

Date: February 2, 2025

A 4-year-old child admitted with a fever was accidentally given an adult-strength antibiotic dose. The result? Acute kidney distress and an emergency transfer to the ICU for dialysis. Parents filed a grievance; an internal review pointed to a pharmacist’s missed cross-check. Thankfully, the child recovered, but this case drives home the need for a computerized prescription system.

5. Emergency Surgery Delay Leads to Infection

Date: January 27, 2025

A motorbike accident left a patient with a serious femur fracture—but they waited 14 hours for surgery due to OR shortages and no on-call specialist. During the wait, a deep tissue infection set in, extending their stay by two weeks. The family took the case to the Bihar Human Rights Commission, and NMCH has since promised an extra emergency operating room and outside-clinic support.

6. The “Kidney Removal” Lawsuit

Date: Filed in 2003; quashed in March 2025

One of the oldest cases alleges doctors removed a patient’s kidney without consent. After more than two decades in court, the Patna High Court dismissed it on procedural grounds—highlighting how tough it is to prove medical negligence in India.

What’s Going Wrong—and How to Fix It

Over these six cases, a few dark patterns emerge:

Infrastructure Gaps: From pest-infested mortuaries to too few operating theaters.

Process Failures: Manual prescription orders, weak corpse-handling protocols, and botched paperwork.

Staffing Strains: Overburdened residents and pharmacists, with little margin for error.

Lack of Oversight: Slow, opaque reviews and no independent patient-rights watchdog.

Four Steps Toward Reform

1. Digitize Prescriptions: A Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE) system can catch dosage mistakes before they reach the patient.

2. Invest in Facilities: Pest-proof mortuaries, ramped-up housekeeping, and more dedicated trauma ORs.

3. Boost Training: Regular drills on infection control, documentation, and compassionate communication.

4. Create an Ombudsman: An independent patient-rights office to handle complaints swiftly and fairly.

Final Thoughts

NMCH’s recent troubles aren’t just individual mishaps—they signal deeper, systemic breakdowns. Patients deserve dignity, safety, and clear communication. Bihar’s top medical institution can—and must—turn things around. With the right investments and a culture shift toward accountability, NMCH can regain its standing as a trusted healthcare provider.