In a landmark ruling, Apollo Hospital, Chennai, has been found guilty of medical negligence and ordered to pay compensation to Dulurani Saha, a resident of Tripura’s Badharajat Matrispalli, Agartala in West district. The case spanned over 16 years concluded with the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Thiruvallur, Chennai awarding Saha Rs. 10 lakh in compensation for mental anguish, financial crisis, pain and suffering, and medical negligence, along with Rs. 10,000 in litigation costs.
Saha was admitted to Apollo Hospital on January 11, 2007 for gall bladder surgery under the care of Surgeon T. Prithvi Raj. After the surgery on January 12, 2007, she was discharged on January 21, 2007 and returned to Agartala, having paid Rs. 76,930 for medical expenses.
However, on May 4, 2007, Saha began suffering from severe stomach pain and sought treatment from renowned surgeon B. Chowdhury in Agartala. When her condition did not improve, she was shifted to ILS Hospital in Kolkata, where Dr. Samaresh Banerjee performed another operation on November 19, 2007. During this procedure, a towel bearing the logo and number of Apollo Hospital was found inside her stomach.