Doctor scolds patient’s husband for refusing liver damage treatment: ‘Want to get married again?’

The incident happened at at Silchar Medical College in Assam on Monday. (AI-generated image)

A doctor in Assam has revealed that he was forced to scold a patient’s husband on Monday after he refused to get his wife, who had serious liver damage, treated at the hospital. Dr Priyam Bordoloi added that the hospital was offering free treatment and that unless the woman was treated, she could succumb to the condition.

Sharing his experience on X, the final-year MD student at Silchar Medical College said that the patient, a 39-year-old woman, had been admitted three days earlier with alarming symptoms: jaundice so severe her eyes appeared unnaturally yellow and a distended abdomen tense with fluid. Initial investigations revealed bilirubin levels of 21 (normal ≈ 1), haemoglobin at 6.1, and severely deranged liver enzymes. “This wasn’t jaundice that will settle. This was serious liver disease,” Bordoloi wrote in a detailed post.

With no money for tests, the hospital activated Ayushman Bharat coverage, ensuring all investigations were free. Viral markers for hepatitis A, B, C, E, HIV, leptospira, and scrub typhus were sent. Conservative treatment began immediately.

Whatever happens to her, let it happen: Husband

The situation, however, escalated when the patient’s husband arrived and repeatedly demanded discharge, citing household responsibilities. “When will she be discharged? There are children at home,” he asked, ignoring explanations that recovery would be slow and evaluation critical. An ultrasound showed an enlarged liver, signs of hepatitis, and possible blockage of the main vein carrying blood to the liver—a condition that can lead to fluid accumulation and eventual liver failure.

Doctors advised a CECT abdomen to confirm the blockage. That’s when the husband snapped: “You doctors are only doing tests. I don’t have money. Whatever happens to her, let it happen, I can’t do more than this.” Dr Bordoloi clarified that all tests were free under Ayushman and stressed the urgency of diagnosis. The CT revealed cirrhosis of the liver—a chronic condition requiring time and further evaluation.

When the husband insisted on taking his wife home, reasoning failed. “So you’re basically killing your wife. Is that because you want to get married again?” Bordoloi said in frustration. The blunt remark stunned him into silence. After a pause, he agreed to stay—though the doctor admitted uncertainty about how long.

Reflecting on the episode, Dr Bordoloi wrote: “Sometimes the disease is not the biggest threat. Sometimes it’s impatience, denial, and abandonment from the very people the patient depends on most. In times like this, all we need is patience.”

Social media users cite similar cases of women patients

Dr Bordoloi's post gained close to nine lakh views, with several X users pointing out that such cases are common, especially if the patient is a married woman.

"Read about a case where the wife was recovering from an MI, the husband came to the hospital with his three kids and left them there, saying he was tired and wanted to get some rest," said an X user, while another commented, "Had a case. Husband filed for divorce two weeks after his wife had a mastectomy for cancer. She admittedly had a challenging personality, but it was still so cold-hearted."

Reacting to such comments, the doctor added, "In reality, in high-volume government hospitals, families sometimes leave or abscond without signing LAMA (leave against medical advice) when they become impatient. With the immense patient load, it isn’t possible to keep constant watch on every bed. We can counsel, explain, and advocate but ultimately, we can’t force care."

He also noted that situations like this are more common in lower socio-economic settings, where health literacy is limited, and illness is often underestimated until it becomes severe.