A Chennai North District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission directed a physician and a city hospital to jointly compensate ₹10 lakh for medical negligence during childbirth. The complainants, Shanthi and Senthil Kumar from Kodungaiyur, alleged that in March 2020, prenatal care and diagnosis by Dr. Thilagavathy at RS Hospital were deficient.
Despite normal prenatal tests, Shanthi experienced labour and was admitted to RS Hospital, which was reportedly understaffed and lacked a duty doctor. The doctor’s delayed arrival coincided with the unavailability of an oxygen cylinder. Two male doctors eventually attended and informed the family that their newborn girl was unconscious.
They later learned that the umbilical cord had entangled around the baby’s neck, causing complications that led to seizures and a brain haemorrhage. The newborn was transferred to a private NICU in Chetpet, where she received 15 days of treatment. Despite an expenditure of ₹2.87 lakh, the baby tragically died in November 2023. (dtnext.in)
The commission concluded there was a clear deficiency in medical service. It directed the doctor and hospital to jointly pay ₹10 lakh for medical negligence, including reimbursement of treatment expenses, mental anguish, pain, suffering, and loss. Additionally, ₹5,000 was awarded for legal costs. (dtnext.in)
This ruling highlights the critical impact of inadequate staffing and delayed emergency response during childbirth and serves as a stern reminder of the obligations of medical institutions to ensure patient safety and accountability.