Doctor ‘accidentally’ consumes formalin in operation theatre

Mumbai: Twenty-four-year-old Dr Ujjwal Ramteke of the state-run J.J. Hospital’s orthopaedic department was admitted to the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) after he “accidentally” consumed formalin, a chemical used a disinfectant and preservative, kept in an operation theatre Tuesday night.

Ramteke is under observation and is yet to regain consciousness, said a senior official of the hospital. The official denied allegations that the drug was consumed in a suicide bid.

The incident took place in the operation theatre on Tuesday at around 9.45pm when the surgery of a patient was underway in which Dr Ramteke was assisting.  One of the doctors said, “While conducting surgery he consumed the formalin, which was kept in the bottle, that is used for disinfectant, but surprising things is he didn’t notice the pungent smell of formalin.”

The dean of J.J hospital Dr.T.P.Lahane, said, “Yes, mistakenly he has consumed the formalin considering as water which was kept in the operation theatre. He was given required necessary treatment.” When asked about his condition, talking to The Asian Age, Dr Lahane said, “He is serious. We have shifted him to Bombay hospital since we don’t have dialysis machine here.”

Another senior doctor from the hospital said that, “This might be suicide an attempt since formalin is fatal and can’t consumed by mistake. This raises suspicion.” The sources said, “Ramteke’s thesis was also not signed since two months, his stipend was also delayed.” No medical negligence case registered.

Suicide bid?
Dr Ujjwal Ramteke is under observation and yet to regain consciousness, said a senior official of the hospital. The official denied allegations that the drug was consumed in a suicide bid. No medical negligence case has been registered so far. The incident took place in the operation theatre on Tuesday at around 9.45pm.