HUBBALLI, Feb 21: A well-known multispecialty hospital in Hubballi has been fined Rs. 10 lakh after one of its staff members was found giving false information about a four-day-old baby’s skin injury.
The District Consumer Grievances Redressal Commission has ordered City Clinic Multispecialty Hospital to pay Rs. 10 lakh in fine in the case after one of its helpers (ayah) caused burn injuries to the four-day-old by making it sit in a hot water tub. To hide her mistake, the staffer lied that the baby might have Epidermolysis Bullosa skin disease.
A patient suffering from Epidermolysis Bullosa gets blisters whenever they rub their skin.
President of the commission Eashappa Bhute, and other members Vishalakshi A. Bolashetti and Prabhu C. Hiremath ordered the United India Insurance Company to pay 75% of the compensation because insurance was valid at the time of the incident that the hospital should pay the remaining 25%, according to media reports. If case of failure to pay up, they have to cough up an additional 8% as interest.
Details of the Incident
Vinaya Hanji, a resident of J.P. Nagar on Gokul Road in Hubballi, admitted his wife Rekha to City Clinic Multispecialty Hospital, Hubballi, on December 10, 2019. Rekha gave birth to a baby girl on the same day.
The infant’s buttock was burnt and the skin was peeled off as it was made to sit in a hot water tub. Noticing the injury, the parents took the matter to the head of the hospital, Dr. Ajit Joshi and Dr. Vidya Joshi.
Dermatologist Dr.Ranjan Jeevan examined the infant and told that it may have Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) and suggested a genetic test at the Human Genetics Center in Bengaluru.
Hanji got his wife and baby discharged from the hospital and shifted them to SDM Hospital in Dharwad. Doctors at SDM Hospital treated the baby’s skin burns, and the baby was cured.
Later, Hanji filed a complaint against seven doctors of City Clinic with the District Consumer Commission. United India Insurance Company, which insured the hospital, was made the ninth respondent.
Now, the hospital management should bear the responsibility of the mistake committed by their staff and has to pay the compensation, as per the commission’s order.
