In the heart of chaos

Chapter 44

The tension in the conference room was palpable as Aarohi and Rishi sat at the head of the long table, surrounded by senior doctors and board members of Sarvodya and Birla Hospitals. This meeting had been in the making for weeks, with heated discussions, countless reviews, and deliberations. But now, it was time to make a decision—one that would have far-reaching consequences.

Abhimanyu sat across from them, his face a mask of barely contained frustration. He had been a top surgeon for years, and the thought of having his medical license suspended was unthinkable. Yet, here he was, facing exactly that possibility.

Aarohi cleared her throat, breaking the silence. "Dr. Birla, the mistake you made during the surgery was not a minor one. The patient was put at significant risk, and while it's fortunate that they survived, we cannot overlook the severity of your actions. This isn't about your skills as a surgeon; it's about the responsibility that comes with those skills."

Rishi, sitting beside Aarohi, nodded in agreement. "We've reviewed the case extensively, and the evidence is clear. The protocols you failed to follow led to complications that could have been avoided. As much as we respect your past achievements, we cannot ignore what has happened here."

Abhimanyu leaned forward, his voice tight with controlled anger. "You're talking about one mistake. One mistake in a career filled with successful surgeries. I've saved countless lives—"

Aarohi cut him off, her tone firm. "And no one is denying that, Dr. Birla. But when you chose to ignore protocol, you put your patient's life at risk. We can't have a system where one mistake is justified by past successes. Medicine doesn't work that way, and neither does accountability."

The room was silent for a moment, the weight of Aarohi's words hanging in the air. Abhimanyu's jaw clenched, but he remained silent, realizing there was no arguing with the facts.

Rishi spoke next, his voice steady. "Given the gravity of the situation, and after careful consideration, we've come to a decision. Your medical license will be suspended for one year. During this time, you will undergo additional training and assessments before being allowed to practice again."

Abhimanyu's eyes flashed with anger, but before he could speak, Aarohi continued. "This isn't a punishment, Dr. Birla. It's a necessary measure to ensure that what happened doesn't happen again. We're placing the safety of our patients above all else."

Rishi added, "We hope this time will allow you to reflect on what went wrong and come back stronger, with a renewed commitment to the protocols that keep our patients safe."

Abhimanyu stared at them, disbelief mingling with anger. This was the last thing he had expected. But as he looked around the room, seeing the determined faces of the board members and his peers, he knew there was no escaping the decision.

Aarohi's voice softened slightly as she spoke her final words. "We understand this is difficult, but it's also necessary. We expect you to use this time wisely, Dr. Birla. When you return, we hope to see the skilled and responsible surgeon we know you can be."

The decision was made, and as the meeting came to a close, Abhimanyu stood, his expression hard. He gave a curt nod to the room, then turned and left without another word. The weight of what had just happened settled over everyone, but there was also a sense of relief—relief that the right decision had been made, even if it was a difficult one.

As the door closed behind him, Aarohi and Rishi exchanged a glance. They knew this wouldn't be the end of the fallout from their decision, but they were ready to face whatever came next, knowing they had done what was right for their hospital and their patients.