CHENNAI: The State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission directed four doctors and a private hospital management to pay Rs. 4.1 lakh as compensation to a woman who lost her eyesight due to their "omission, negligence and deficiency in service."

T. Shanthi (34), a mother of two girls, went to a hospital on NSK Salai in Vadapalani in October 1997, complaining of fever, headache and vomiting. After being admitted for 100 days, she lost her vision in January 1998. She contended that during her stay, the doctors and hospital management had "acted in a gross and negligent manner."

She claimed a compensation of Rs. 18 lakh on the ground that she was reduced to lead a life a physically challenged person.

Denying the allegations, the hospital management submitted that they did not employ the doctors.

While three of the doctors maintained that Ms. Shanthi had been referred to her only for an opinion, another doctor said the patient had not followed his advice. He did not turn up for cross-examination in court.

Flaying the doctors and the hospital management for trying to distance themselves from the incident, A Bench comprising Commission President Justice K. Sampath and members R. Vanaroja and Pon. Gunasekaran said: "The doctors should have co-ordinated their efforts to decide how best to relieve the patient of her suffering. They had not acted in the interest of the patient. They had individually and jointly shirked their responsibility. This is not a case of mischance, misadventure or an error of judgment."

Ruling that the complainant's claim was high, the Bench asked the doctors and the hospital administration to pay damages ranging from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 2 lakh, and directed them to refund the charges collected from the patient, besides reimburse all amounts paid by her towards hospitalisation, laboratory and transport charges.

They should make all payments within two months, the Bench ruled.

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