Doctors receive penalty for the first time

Two doctors of Regional Institute of Medical Sciences Imphal (RIMS) and the RIMS were today were rewarded penalty to pay a compensation of Rs. 11, 05, 000 for negligence resulting to the death of a patient.
The judgement was today made in the court of Justice T. Nandakumar of the State Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission

The doctors were Naorem Sharatchandra Singh, MBBS, MD (MED) DM (Nephro), head of section of Nephrology, Dr. Y. Iboton, M.D., department of medicine, and the director of RIMS.
This is the first time the court reward medical practitioner penalty on the ground of Medical negligence.

R.K Nolini wife of the deceased Shamurailatpam Gourachandra appealed the court in 2007 against the doctors, RIMS and Imphal Hospital and Research Centre. Gourachandra was a resident of Thangmeiband, Imphal and Nolini was an advocate by profession.
Gourachandra was first taken to Shija Hospitals and Research Institute, but referred to RIMS. Dr. Sharatkumar then advised to admit to Imphal Hospital and Research Institute, where the patient was diagnosed to be suffering from Budd-Chiari Syndrome with Chronic Kidney Disease. Gourachandra was in the critical condition and discharged from the hospital.
The doctor then advised the patient to admit at RIMS. On February 2, 2007 Gourachandra was admitted to RIMS. He was attended with Dr. Y. Iboton.
As complained the patient was transfused whole blood instead of transfusing only the RBC with the advice of Dr. Iboton on three occasions which deteriorated the kidney.
Both the doctors told the patient family of Haemodialysis treatment as the last resort, but didn’t give consent of the consequences.
The patient was discharged with the advice to attend a well equipped hospital by issuing a certificate called “Discharge on Request” on February 13. However the doctors did not care to provide life supporting equipments during while discharging to attend the Apollo Hospital at Kolkata, as complained by Nolini.
Jet Aircraft did not allow board the sick patient without life support equipment and required doctor for going to Kolkata. He died inside the ambulance of RIMS on the way back to the hospital from the airport, on February 14.
The State Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission rewarded the respondents the penalty to compensate a sum of Rs. 11, 05, 000 for the loss of income of the deceased, for medical treatment cost, pain and suffering and cost litigation.