The patient, suffering from high-grade fever, was admitted to a hospital. Her condition displayed symptoms of malaria, however, tests reported negative for malaria.
The doctors performed several other tests and started anti-malarial treatment, but unfortunately patient died after a week.
The patient’s family sued the hospital and its doctors. It was alleged that patient was given high doses of anti-malarial drugs even though tests reported in the negative. This act of negligence caused drop in platelets which led to other complications that caused her death.
Citing medical literature, the Commission rejected allegations made by patient’s family. The Commission observed:
“It is pertinent to mention here that the doctor accepted that he had administered 600 mg of anti-malarial drug which is an admissible medical practice followed by the medical practitioners. When the doctor observed that the patient got allergic reaction from the drug, he substituted it with a safer and more effective parental medicine. Family’s claim that the patient was administered six doses of anti-malarial drug does not stand ground as no document has been furnished by them to strengthen their contention except a medicine receipt where the doctor advised them to purchase the said medicine’s six doses”.
The case against hospital and its doctor was dismissed.
Source:Order pronounced by Delhi State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission on 8th August, 2022.