Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Feb 4: Dakshina Kannada District Consumers Grievances Redressal Forum has, through a verdict, ordered payment of a compensation of Rs 21 lac to the patient and his family for the damage caused to the patient's brain because of the negligence of the doctors while conducting surgery on him.

Mohammed Ashraf (40) from Magdoom Colony Bhatkal, as per the advice of a cardiologist from Bhatkal named Dr Rajgopal Rao, had sought medical treatment from a private hospital located near pumpwell in the city for the defective functioning of his heart. The doctors there had advised him to undergo heart surgery at a cost of two lac rupees.

At the time of undertaking surgery, the doctors had informed the patient that the he would fully recover in about eight days time. However, Ashraf did not recover and was bed-ridden with brain-related complications. On October 2, 2004, some other cardiologist who checked him informed that his brain had been damaged. It came to light that Ashraf's brain suffered damage as the doctors did not take enough precautionary measures while conducting surgery.

Ashraf thereafter approached the Consumer Forum against four doctors of the said hospital including its medical director. The Forum which concluded that the deficiency of service of the doctors concerned has been proved, ordered the concerned to pay Rs 15 lac to Ashraf along with three lac rupees each to his wives Rafat Jehan and Khairunnisa, in addition to Rs 1,000 towards court costs, within 30 days.