Ludhiana diagnostic center fined for false kidney diagnosis

A private medical center in Ludhiana has been ordered to pay ₹1 lakh in compensation due to a wrong kidney stone diagnosis. The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission found the center at fault after a complaint from Madhav Arora, a student in Canada. Arora visited ‘Dr Munjal’s Diagnostic Centre’ on December 16, 2020. He wanted a precautionary ultrasound because of his history with kidney stones. The ultrasound report claimed he had multiple stones in both kidneys. This alarming news threatened his plans to return to Canada for his studies after attending his sister's wedding in India. The day after, Arora went to RG Stone and Super Speciality Hospital, which confirmed the initial diagnosis and suggested surgery. They advised 20 to 22 days of bed rest. However, Arora then underwent a CT scan at Delta Heart Centre, which showed no kidney stones or issues. He also had another ultrasound at Kuka Diagnostics, which confirmed there were no stones. Feeling that he had been misdiagnosed, Arora filed a complaint for medical negligence. A medical board reviewed his case and confirmed the ultrasound report from Dr Munjal's was incorrect. The board stated that RG Stone and Super Speciality Hospital had made their surgical recommendation based on this flawed report. Dr Munjal’s Diagnostic Centre defended itself by mentioning the subjective nature of ultrasound imaging. RG Stone and Super Speciality Hospital noted that they acted responsibly and did not recommend surgery without thorough evaluation.