New Delhi (Agency): In a shocking revelation of medical malpractice, Delhi Police have apprehended a ‘fake’ chemist, identified as Julfiqar, for illegally referring over 40 people for surgeries at Agarwal Medical Centre in South Delhi. The hospital is now under scrutiny for having ‘doctors’ perform medical procedures without the necessary qualifications or authorization.
Julfiqar, 42, a resident of Prahladpur, operated a clinic-cum-medicine shop in Sangam Vihar, where he sold homeopathy and allopathy medicines without a valid license. His arrest follows the earlier apprehension of Neeraj Agarwal and his wife Pooja Agarwal, along with others involved in the scandal, for fabricating surgery notes and conducting unauthorized surgeries.
The investigation has brought to light that eight people died during or after procedures at Agarwal Medical Centre, and one patient suffered the loss of her uterus. Julfiqar disclosed to the police his arrangement with Neeraj Agarwal, under which he received a 35% commission for each patient referred. These referrals included patients needing operations for conditions such as stone removal or childbirth.
DCP Chandan Chowdhary detailed the transactions between Agarwal and Julfiqar, which were made through phone-linked payments. This fraudulent partnership reportedly lasted around 5-6 years, with the most recent referral being Asgar Ali, who tragically died during treatment. The autopsy of Asgar Ali pointed to hemorrhagic shock due to complications from a laparoscopic cholecystectomy as the cause of death.
The police learned that Agarwal typically charged Rs 15,000 to 20,000 for delivery and stone operations, and Rs 5,000 to Rs 6,000 for abortions. The case came into the spotlight when a complaint was filed by a woman from Sangam Vihar. Her husband had undergone a gallbladder stone removal surgery at the medical center, which resulted in his death due to post-surgery complications. Further investigation revealed that the surgery was performed by unqualified individuals, and fake documents were frequently produced by Agarwal Medical Centre.
This alarming incident has led to seven complaints filed with the Delhi Medical Council against Agarwal Medical Centre for negligence resulting in patient deaths. Further inquiries also uncovered deficiencies in the medical center, highlighting a disturbing trend of medical malpractice and fraud within the institution. The case has exposed serious lapses in medical standards and regulatory oversight, sparking concern and outrage among the public and medical community alike.