Rs 2.5 Lakh Compensation to be Paid by Doctor for Negligence

The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) has ruled that Dr Arvind Shah who operates a polyclinic in the Saraspur area in Ahemadabad, was guilty of negligence. The commission has ordered the doctor to pay Rs 2.5 lakh compensation for not recording provisional diagnosis before starting off a patient on treatment.

The patient identified as one Prakash, had died in 1997 following treatment prescribed by Dr Shah. The patient began treatment on September 4, 1997 and experienced some adverse effects. He approached the doctor who prescribed some medicine two days later. The 20-year-old Prakash died that night.

His mother, Kamala Kushwaha, complained to the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (SCDRC), which fined Dr Shah Rs 5 lakh. He challenged the order at national level where the fine has now been reduced by 50%.

“In this case, the OP (Dr Shah) is thus clearly guilty of serious deficiency in service (medical negligence) in not issuing a prescription for his treatment of the deceased Prakash on 4.09.1997 and then not recording his diagnosing Prakash’s ailment in the prescription(s) of 6.09.1997," the commission ruled.

It appears that Dr Shah had initially refuted claims that he treated Prakash on September 4. Later on he admitted to it.



Source-Medindia
RAS