New Delhi: A Hyderabad-based super-speciality hospital has been directed by the apex consumer commission to pay Rs 2.05 lakh as compensation to the widow of a patient who had died suddenly of a heart attack there while being treated for a shoulder injury.
The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) said the inability of Yashoda Super Speciality Hospital to explain what caused the patient`s death leaves many questions unanswered.
"The hospital has not been able to satisfactorily explain as to what caused the death of the patient, which leaves many unanswered questions, including whether he was given prompt and adequate treatment by the appellant-hospital.
"In view of these facts, we see no reason to interfere with the order of the state commission and uphold the same. This first appeal stands dismissed. The hospital is directed to pay respondent 1 (widow) a sum of Rs 2,00,000 along with litigation cost of Rs 5,000," the bench presided by Justice Ashok Bhan said.
The NCDRC passed the judgement while dismissing the plea of the hospital which had challenged the Andhra Pradesh State Consumer Commission`s order which had held the hospital guilty of medical negligence.
The state commission had found the hospital guilty of not taking due care and giving prompt treatment to the patient, G Ramakistaiah, a senior accountant in the Accountant General`s office in Hyderabad.
The state commission`s order had come on the plea of late Ramakistaiah`s widow, A Subbalakshmi who had alleged that had her husband been given proper and prompt medical treatment and necessary precautionary measures taken, including immediate treatment for jaundice, during his stay in the hospital his premature death could have been avoided.
The woman in her complaint had said that her husband had been admitted to the hospital after he suffered a shoulder injury and a few days later while being treated there he had complained of breathlessness and feeling of uneasiness.
He was moved to the ICU after his condition deteriorated, but he expired the same night, she added.
The hospital in its defence before the state commission and the NCDRC had said that the patient had died due to sudden myocardial infarction, which is quite common in diabetic patients and, therefore, his death could not be attributed to any medical negligence on their part.
PTI
