Needle in uterus: Hospital asked to deposit ₹30 lakh for negligence

The Delhi State Consumer Redressal Commission has imposed a cost of ₹30 lakh on a private hospital for its deficient service in a case in which a woman was left with a needle in her uterus after delivery.

The commission, while dismissing the appeal of Shree Jeewan Hospital in north Delhi, upheld the district forum’s order asking the hospital to pay the compensation to north-east Delhi resident Rubina.

It also noted that instead of employing a qualified doctor, the hospital got its job done by a pharmacist. “Instead of employing a qualified doctor who draws a salary of around ₹2 lakhs, the hospital is getting the job done by a pharmacist. How many such episiotomy wounds have been stitched by ... (pharmacist) is anybody’s guess,” the bench said.

“The appeal preferred by the hospital is dismissed. The hospital is burdened with costs of ₹30 lakh for being ‘negligent’ and ‘deficient in service’. The said costs shall be deposited by the hospital in Consumer Welfare Fund of the State maintained by this Commission,” it said.

It also noted that there was an attempt by hospital to manipulate the records to cover up the fact that the delivery was effected by a doctor who was not competent to do the surgery. “Hospital has gone to the extent of manipulating the records to make believe that it was a doctor and nurse who conducted the delivery,” the bench said.

According to the complaint, Rubina was admitted to the hospital on September 15, 2009 for delivery and she gave birth to a girl child. The plea alleged that while conducting the delivery, the doctors left a needle in her uterus due to which she was bleeding profusely and suffered pain but the doctors did not pay heed to her issues. PTI