For misdiagnosis and unnecessary hip joint replacement
In Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has mandated a private hospital and its orthopedic surgeon to compensate a patient with Rs 10 lakh. The commission’s ruling stems from the case of 35-year-old Nikhat Jahan, who sought medical assistance in 2014 due to back pain and walking difficulties.
Despite being pregnant at the time, doctors at the private hospital recommended replacing both of Jahan’s hip joints, incurring a cost of ?4 lakh. Unfortunately, the procedure did not alleviate her pain, and she experienced a miscarriage. Subsequently, another hospital diagnosed her with spondylitis, necessitating spinal surgery rather than hip joint replacement.
Feeling aggrieved, Jahan filed a petition in the Bhopal District Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum in 2016, which initially ruled in favor of the hospital. Unsatisfied, she escalated the matter to the state consumer commission in 2017.
After thorough examination, the commission determined that the private hospital and orthopedic surgeon should compensate Jahan with Rs 10 lakh, along with Rs 20,000 for litigation expenses and 7.5% interest. Orthopedic surgeon Dr. RP Singh defended the hip joint replacement, stating that they function correctly. However, he deferred the responsibility for the case to the hospital.
