Jalandhar hospital told to pay Rs 35L for ‘medical negligence’

Sanjeev Singh Bariana

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Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 19

The Punjab State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has ordered the Orthonova Joint and Trauma Hospital, Jalandhar, to pay Rs 35 lakh as compensation to the family of Harbhajan Singh, a former serviceman, on account of ‘medical negligence’.

President of the Commission Justice (retd) Paramjeet Singh Dhaliwal has ordered the hospital to pay the amount to Kashmir Kaur, widow of Harbhajan Singh, and her family members, with seven per cent rate of interest from the date of complaint (May 10, 2018), till the date of payment. The hospital has also been fined Rs 33,000 as costs, separately.

Harbhajan Singh had his knees replaced at the Orthonova Joint and Trauma Hospital in May 2016. The family said that few days later, he complained of severe pain and infection, following which he was re-admitted. His right knee was operated upon once again. The “excruciating pain” continued even afterwards and he was operated upon a third time in July.

The family said Harbhajan Singh had to be admitted to the Punjab Institute of Medical Science (PIMS), Jalandhar, on July 29 where he showed no signs of improvement. The patient was referred to PGI, Chandigarh, on September 11, 2016. However, he had to be rushed to the Dayanand Medical College, Ludhiana, on his way. He was referred to the PGI next day but died on the way.

The hospital, on its part, contended that the order had ignored the opinion of the special board constituted by the civil surgeon, which was not fair. The board included Dr Basant Rai, Assistant Professor, Medical College, Amritsar; Dr Rakesh Kumar Chopra, Forensic Specialist; and Hardev Singh, Ortho Specialist. The board opined that there was no medical negligence during the treatment of the patient.

Talking to The Tribune, Dr Harpreet Singh of Orthonova Hospital said: “We do not agree with the order because it ignored the report of the medical board on giving a clean chit to our hospital. We will, very soon, be approaching the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission against the state commission order.”