Medical Horror: Women Seek Rs 82 Crore Each from Virginia Hospital Over Unnecessary Surgeries
The shocking malpractice by doctor Javaid Perwaiz, who is currently serving a 59-year prison term for medical fraud, has triggered a monumental lawsuit involving over 500 women. They have united against Chesapeake Regional Medical Center and its leadership, claiming gross negligence in the oversight of a physician who conducted years of unnecessary and detrimental surgeries. Each woman is seeking $10 million (Rs 82 crore) in compensation, alleging that hospital executives were aware of Perwaiz’s actions and chose to ignore them.
Lawsuit Targets Hospital Leadership
– Alleged Knowledge of Malpractice: The lawsuit asserts that Chesapeake Regional Medical Center’s executives were fully aware of Perwaiz’s alarming trend of unnecessary surgeries and repeatedly allowed him to operate.
– Lack of Action: Hospital authorities failed to intervene, despite clear warning signs. The plaintiffs contend that if the hospital had taken timely action, many of the harms they experienced could have been averted.
Unnecessary Surgeries: A Pattern of Deceit
Javaid Perwaiz misled his patients into believing they faced severe health threats, often recommending invasive and irreversible surgeries, including:
– Hysterectomies: Surgical removal of the uterus.
– Dilation and Curettage (D&C): Procedures typically performed after miscarriages or heavy bleeding.
In numerous cases, Perwaiz went so far as to falsify pregnant patients’ due dates to induce labor early, catering to his own scheduling preferences.
Medicaid Fraud: A Financial Windfall
– Fraudulent Billing: Most of Perwaiz’s patients were Medicaid recipients. Investigations revealed that he billed over $20 million through deceptive claims in a decade.
– Lavish Lifestyle: His fraudulent activities funded an extravagant lifestyle, including five luxury cars and regular high-end shopping.
Lasting Impact on Patients
The repercussions of these unnecessary surgeries have been devastating and life-altering:
– Physical Harm: Many women now deal with chronic issues like incontinence and sexual dysfunction.
– Emotional Toll: The psychological scars remain for many, with the trauma persisting years after the procedures.
Investigation and Arrest
The alarming practices of Javaid Perwaiz came to light after the FBI received a tip regarding patient experiences within the hospital. This initiated a thorough investigation into his medical practices, revealing that the abuse had continued from 2010 to 2019. Following his arrest, the hospital sought to distance itself from Perwaiz, asserting ignorance of his misconduct.
– License Revocation: Perwaiz’s medical license was revoked in 2020, and in 2021, he was sentenced to 59 years in prison for his fraudulent activities.
Conclusion
This disturbing case highlights severe failures in hospital oversight, raising crucial questions about patient safety and institutional accountability. As the women seek justice through their collective lawsuit, the focus now shifts to the alleged complicity of Chesapeake Regional Medical Center’s leadership in enabling this medical horror. The outcomes of this litigation could have significant implications for healthcare practices and accountability standards moving forward.