Mumbai, Sep 30 (Mumbai Mirror): The consumer disputes redressal forum (CDRF) on Thursday directed a charitable hospital, along with one of its doctors, to shell out Rs 2,38,000 as compensation for an Andheri resident who lost sight in his left eye after an operation went wrong.

Dismissing Gurunanak Quin-Centenary Memorial Hospital Trust and Research Center’s claims that they should be exempted from medical negligence as they are a “charitable trust”, the forum even singled out the ophthalmologist, Dr DH Narai, pointing out that there was no medical evidence to show that he performed his duties “with reasonable skill and competence.”

The operation was performed as early as December 2013 after he started having problems with his eyes. The hospital recommended an operation after which he lost sight in his left eye.

When he later approached the Gurunanak Quin-Centenary Memorial Hospital Trust and Research Center in Dadar, they allegedly abused him and threw him out of the premises, following which the patient approached the police.

After changing two doctors, the victim later approached Mehta International Eye Institute, where he was operated upon further and his eyesight restored.

Even as his eyesight was restored, the Andheri resident was put through the inconvenience of the going to the courts for compensation for over a year.

Meanwhile, the hospital maintained that it is a charitable trust providing medical services to low income group with meager charges.

“In the particular case, the resident had paid only Rs 6000 for a Rs 8000 lens. Moreover, now that he can see, the complainant is not entitled for relief as prayed,” they said.