Amputated leg disposed of by hosp before handing over body for burial, family fumes

Nagpur: A controversy surfaced at Indira Gandhi Govt Medical College and Hospital (Mayo Hospital) after the family of a 72-year-old patient alleged his amputated leg was disposed of before it could be handed over for burial, as per Muslim customs. The elderly man underwent leg amputation surgery due to gangrene, but died during treatment. Family members claimed hospital authorities assured them the severed limb would be separately returned for religious rites, but were later informed it was already disposed of. The incident triggered anger among relatives, who demanded an explanation from the hospital administration.IGGMCH dean Dr Ravi Chavan said once amputated, the severed part becomes biomedical waste (BMW) and can't be handed over. "It has to be disposed of in a scientific manner, as per rules. We need to check if any commitment was made to the family. It was not a clean cut which happens in accidents but a confirmed case of gangrene which is highly pathogenic," he said."Even though BMW rules prohibit handing over amputated parts, the hospital could have considered the request in keeping with the family's sentiments. However, the family turned up four days later and it's not possible to retrieve it," Dr Chavan said. He reiterated if the family had approached him in time, he could have found a way to respect their emotions.The 72-year-old deceased, Hamid Khan, resident of Naal Sahab in Hansapuri, was admitted to Mayo Hospital with gangrene and doctors informed the family that amputation of his leg was necessary.Before the surgery, Hamid Khan's son, Firoz Khan, said he had requested that the amputated leg be returned to the family after the surgery. Firoz alleged doctors assured the family that the limb would be handed over within three or four days after obtaining permission from senior authorities.The surgery was conducted on May 18 between 11am and 1pm. However, Khan died at night and was buried on May 19. The controversy emerged after family members informed religious leaders the amputated leg was not returned as promised.Momimpura corporator Waseem Khan accompanied family members to meet the dean, Dr Chavan. Following an inquiry, the dean informed them the amputated limb was disposed of and sent to Bhandewadi.Calling it negligence by the hospital administration and doctors, Khan demanded a written apology from hospital authorities and action against the guilty. Khan stated respecting religious sentiments of patients and their families is the responsibility of the hospital administration.