Why this Gujarat gynaecologist refused to treat a pregnant woman in her 30s: 'Have the right to...'

The doctor said that he had mentioned in the patient's documents that she had refused to undergo the NT scan and double marker test crucial to determine the health of the foetus. (Representational image)

A Vadodara-based gynaecologist on Monday revealed that he was forced to turn away a pregnant patient in her thirties who had ignored medical advise and refused to undergo important tests after being influenced by her non-medical friends. These tests, Dr Rajesh Parikh said, were crucial to determine the health of the foetus.

"I turned away a pregnant patient in her 30s who, ignoring medical advice, refused an NT scan and double marker test (crucial to rule out common chromosomal defects) based on advice from non-medical friends," he wrote on X. "After futile attempts to reason with her, I advised her to seek a doctor who would indulge her misconceptions."

The gynaecologist also shared that he had mentioned in the documents and prescriptions that the pregnant woman had refused to undergo the NT scan and double marker test.

Just as patients have a right to choose their doctors, doctors have the right to refuse treatment, except in emergencies. I turned away a pregnant patient in her 30s who, ignoring medical advice, refused an NT scan and double marker test (crucial to rule out common chromosomal…

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When a couple of X users said that many patients hesitate to get all the "expensive" tests recommended by doctors as they suspect doctors to be earning hefty commissions from testing laboratories, Dr Parikh replied: "Total cost is Rs 3,700. Depends on your definition of expensive. Do you know a family having a child with Down’s syndrome? If yes, this cost is negligible, if no, you should be educating yourself."

He added that to help his patients, he usually refers them to testing labs with which he has negotiated discounted rates.

Then, in a word of advice to fellow doctors, Dr Parikh said, "As a doctor and especially as an obstetrician, never ever let the patient dictate the treatment/management. You’ll be the one facing the consequences in court, not them. Just say a blunt no and ask to seek another care giver."