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Rs 5 Lakh Compensation for Cancer Patient's Delayed Treatment
30 Sep
Summary
- Hospital and doctors ordered to pay Rs 5 lakh compensation.
- Delay in treating gallbladder infection worsened patient's condition.
- Cancer treatment itself was not found to be negligent.
A Delhi Consumer Commission has awarded Rs 5 lakh in compensation to a complainant, holding a private hospital and two doctors liable for medical negligence. The ruling stems from an eight-day delay in appropriately treating an advanced cancer patient's acute gallbladder infection. This delay reportedly caused the infection to worsen, resulting in gangrene and perforation of the gallbladder.
The commission found that the prolonged delay in diagnosing and managing the acute cholecystitis amounted to medical negligence. The patient, who was already undergoing treatment for advanced breast cancer with brain metastasis, presented with abdominal pain and mild fever. Despite initial signs of infection and a thickened gallbladder wall, further investigation and intervention were reportedly delayed.
Subsequent tests revealed a suspected gallbladder rupture, and the patient underwent surgery. The surgical findings confirmed gangrene and perforation. While the hospital and doctors were found negligent regarding the gallbladder treatment, the commission clarified that the patient's cancer treatment adhered to the standard of care. The patient later passed away due to cardiopulmonary arrest.
