70-year-old woman entered surgery – when she came out, the family discovered an unthinkable mistake

The family of a 70-year-old woman claims that at a private hospital in Lucknow, India, her right knee was operated on instead of her injured left knee. The error was discovered after the surgery. The family reports threats from the medical staff and a demand for cash payment despite eligibility for free government treatment. Health authorities have launched an investigation.

The family of a 70-year-old woman claims that at a private hospital in the Gomti Nagar district of Lucknow, India, her right knee was operated on instead of her injured left knee. The error was only discovered after the surgery ended and the patient was discharged home. The family reports that when they returned to the hospital demanding answers, they faced heavy pressure and direct threats from the doctor and staff to bury the incident. Alongside the surgical error claim, the family raises an allegation of financial corruption: the treatment was performed under the government health scheme, but despite the hospital claiming and receiving about 250,000 rupees from the scheme's budget, the family was required to pay an additional 70,000 rupees in cash. The district health department has opened an investigation and requested the medical file. The local police have not yet opened a criminal investigation. The article expands on the phenomenon of wrong-side surgeries worldwide, citing data from the UK on 64 such cases in less than eight years.