GUJRAT, Jan 17: A large number of local residents on Friday staged a protest demonstration on DHQ Hospital premises and demanded action against an orthopedist for giving wrong treatment to a patient.

The protesters told newsmen that an old man, Abdul Majeed Ghauri, had been admitted to hospital for the treatment of his fractured right leg. Dr Iqtadar Baig, who was provided with X-Rays, suggested operation which was agreed to by patient’s family.

The patient was taken to the operation theatre where he was operated upon by the doctor, his assistants and other paramedical staff. As the patient came to his senses, he found the doctors had operated his left leg instead.

Rizwan told Dawn that an iron rod had been adjusted to the unimpaired left leg of his father while the fractured right leg remained untouched.

Soon relatives and area people reached hospital where they held demonstration and chanted slogans against the hospital staff. They demanded that the higher authorities should take disciplinary action against the hospital staff.

Meanwhile, hospital sources said Dr Iqtadar was a medical officer and was holding the temporary charge of the Orthopedist.

When contacted over telephone, Dr Iqtadar clarified that it was a minor operation which was conducted without anaesthesia. Not the iron rod but only a small pin was used in the operation, he claimed. However, he admitted that his assistant Azam was responsible for placing the pin in the wrong leg.

EDO (Health) Dr Talat Shah said that it was a minor ‘mistake’ and Dr Iqtadar had removed the pin from the wrong leg and placed it in the fractured one.