PGI nephro dept not to treat kids below 12 yrs

In a strange decision, the Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS) has decided to not treat patients less than 12 years of age in the nephrology department.

The decision comes as a blow for hundreds of kids already undergoing treatment for various kidney ailments in the premier medical institute.

According to data, over 20% patients who get enrolled in department of nephrology are below 12 years of age. The kids who are treated for acute nephrotic syndrome, acute renal failure or other kidney ailments respond quickly and are more curable compared to adults or aged patients.

As per the decision, the children getting admitted in other departments and in need of referral from nephrology will also be deprived of treatment.

Experts say this decision would affect recovery of kids who would now have to search for other hospitals. The decision was taken after a meeting of faculty on September 30 and apparently aims at reducing the number of patients which doctors see every day.

Director SGPGIMS professor Rakesh Kapoor said, “The decision has been taken because there is no paediatric nephrologist in the PGI. In case of any medico-legal case, the doctors would not be able to defend themselves.”

Sources said a paediatric nephrologist Dr Sanjeev Gulati left the institute around 15 years back and since then such patients were seen by the faculty members without any hassle. Insiders said such decisions would only affect the image of the premier medical institute instead of saving it from medicolegal cases.

THE DECISION COMES AS A BLOW FOR HUNDREDS OF KIDS ALREADY UNDERGOING TREATMENT FOR VARIOUS KIDNEY AILMENTS IN THE PREMIER MEDICAL INSTITUTE.