Deeply disappointed by the behavior of @DrDachepalli & staff @YashodaHospital .As a senior citizen, my father faced harassment & discrimination post-knee surgery. Urging hospital authorities to take action & uphold patient care standards Below is the summary of his complaint I, Krishna Kumar Singh, a 63-year-old senior citizen from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, am writing to express my profound disappointment and distress regarding the treatment I have received at Yashoda Hospital, Somajiguda, Hyderabad. While I sought care for my knee pain at your reputed institution, the series of unprofessional, and humiliating incidents I endured have severely impacted my faith in your hospital. Background of Treatment: As a medical dependent on my son, who works with NMDC Limited and resides in Hyderabad, I visited Yashoda Hospital for persistent knee pain that had been troubling me for months. Based on my son’s recommendation, I consulted with Dr. Sunil Dachepalli, who advised a Total Knee Replacement with Robotic Resurfacing. Dr. Sunil confidently assured me that I would be able to walk within 15 days post-surgery and resume my normal activities, including playing light games, within three months. He emphasized that robotic surgery would cause less pain and facilitate faster recovery. Placing my trust in Dr. Sunil and Yashoda Hospital, I underwent the surgery on 14th December 2024 (IP No. 191383). I was discharged after three days and began physiotherapy sessions at home with Mr. Venu Gopal, a physiotherapist at your hospital, as advised by Dr. Sunil. Post-Surgery Experience: Unfortunately, despite following the prescribed treatment plan, I continued to experience severe pain, burning sensations, and heaviness in my knee. During my follow-up appointment with Dr. Sunil on 31st December 2024, I informed him of my condition, and he prescribed additional medicines, assuring me that the pain would subside. However, my symptoms persisted and worsened over time. On 12th January 2025, I reported unbearable pain and burning sensations to Mr. Venu Gopal, who suggested that I follow up with Dr. Sunil immediately. However, Dr. Sunil was unavailable on 13th and 14th January 2025, leaving me in a distressing situation with no choice but to consult another orthopedic surgeon at your hospital, Dr. Uday Krishna Myneni, on 13th January 2025. Unprofessional Behavior and Humiliation: The events that followed have left me appalled and deeply humiliated: 1. Discrimination and Interference: After booking an appointment with Dr. Uday Krishna, I received a call from your staff questioning my decision. I was pressured to consult the so-called “B Team” of Dr. Sunil instead. This intrusion into my choice of doctor was inappropriate. I firmly informed the caller that my decision was driven by my urgent medical condition and Dr. Sunil’s unavailability. 2. Insulting Conduct by Dr. Sunil: During my follow-up with Dr. Sunil on 15th January 2025, I was made to wait for over three hours despite reaching the hospital at the advised time. When I was finally called into his cabin, Dr. Sunil did not allow me to sit or explain my condition. Instead, he expressed anger over my consultation with Dr. Uday Krishna, accusing me of undermining his authority. Dr. Sunil’s words and behavior were demeaning, and he outright refused to examine me, stating that he “does not see patients post-surgery” and that his “team” handles such cases. He dismissed me rudely, despite my repeated pleas and explanation of my unbearable pain. To my shock, he even stated that he was not a “donkey” to handle all patient concerns personally, which was both unprofessional and disrespectful. 3. Mockery of Insurance Status: Adding to my distress, I overheard Dr. Sunil mocking my NMDC-provided insurance over the phone in a conversation with Mr. Venu Gopal, referring to me as “insurance wale.” Throughout my treatment, hospital staff repeatedly brought up my insurance status in a manner that made me feel discriminated against and stigmatized, as though my legitimate use of insurance was being judged or questioned. 4. Lack of Support from Administration: Following the incident, I reported my experience to Ms. Deepika (PRO) and Dr. V. Vishnu Reddy (Chief Medical Services). Despite their assurances, no meaningful action was taken to address my concerns. Furthermore, Dr. Sunil’s PA, Mr. Ravi, consistently avoided my calls and messages post-surgery, leaving me feeling abandoned and helpless. Impact on My Faith in Yashoda Hospital: As a senior citizen, I sought treatment at Yashoda Hospital with the expectation of receiving compassionate and professional care. Instead, I was subjected to, humiliation, and disregard for my rights and dignity. Dr. Sunil’s actions not only violated the principles of medical ethics and the Hippocratic Oath but also my fundamental rights as a patient under Article 21 of the Constitution of India (Right to Life and Health) and the Consumer Protection Act of 2019. Demands for Immediate Action: In light of these incidents, I request the following actions: 1. A formal apology from Dr. Sunil Dachepalli for his disrespectful behavior and lack of empathy. 2. A thorough investigation into the conduct of Dr. Sunil, Mr. Ravi, and other staff members involved in this incident. 3. A clear explanation of the hospital’s policies regarding post-surgical care and patient follow-ups. 4. Assurance that no patient will face discrimination or harassment based on their insurance status or any other factor. 5. Implementation of training programs for hospital staff to ensure compassionate and patient-centric care. As a reputed healthcare institution, Yashoda Hospital must prioritize the dignity, respect, and well-being of its patients. I urge you to take immediate corrective measures to ensure that no other patient endures such an ordeal.
Vishad Vats
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