The National Consumer Commission recently held a doctor negligent. And it was for a reason that could have been easily avoided.

Is using life-saving drugs, in spite of their known complications, negligence? No, says the Consumer Commission.

The patient, a young girl, experienced piercing abdominal pain. She was taken to a local hospital where she was diagnosed with acute appendicitis. The doctor performed laparoscopic appendectomy.

The patient underwent left shoulder arthroscopy at the hospital. During the procedure he developed sudden hypotension and bradycardia due to anaesthetic complications. The doctors initiated emergency resuscitative measures and shifted him to ICU and ventilated. The patient survived and partially recovered but fate was not kind to him. He slipped into a vegetative state and was subsequently discharged for home care.

In yet another instance, a patient resorted to arm twisting tactics to prove the doctor negligent. However, his intimidation was quickly pushed back by State Commission’s observation.

Patients with serious conditions must be treated by relevant specialists. Doctors treating such patients without expertise in the applicable specialty is against the law.

Court of law is not a place for rowdy behavior. Irrespective of the merits of case, one has to be careful while presenting their side of the story. Using derogatory language and intimidation in courtroom has seldom benefitted anyone.