The West Bengal Clinical Establishment Regulatory Commission (WBCERC) has directed two hospitals to pay a compensation of Rs 10 lakh each for lapses in patient care that resulted in the deaths of two patients. The orders were issued after separate complaints were filed by the families of the deceased.
First Case: Narayana Superspecialty Hospital
In the first incident, Pratap Chandra Ghosh brought his 21-year-old daughter to Narayana Superspecialty Hospital on January 9. The patient was immediately taken to the emergency department. Ghosh alleged that although the emergency wing referred the patient to a cardiologist, no cardiologist attended to her promptly. The patient was admitted but died the following day.
Justice (retd) Ashim Kumar Banerjee, chairman of WBCERC, stated, “We have ordered the hospital to pay Rs 10 lakh compensation.”
Second Case: Dr Dutta’s Clinic Chandannagar
In another case, Nirmal Chandra Saha complained against Dr Dutta’s Clinic in Chandannagar. He brought his 12-year-old daughter to the clinic in a critical condition. Despite advising admission, the family was asked to take the patient to another hospital after she collapsed. The health commission found that the girl died while being taken into the ambulance.
Justice Banerjee remarked, “In this case, there was delay in attending to the patient. The patient was rushed to the hospital in a critical condition. The family was asked to take the patient to another hospital even as she collapsed. We have directed the clinical establishment to pay Rs 10 lakh to the deceased family.”
The WBCERC’s decisions underscore the importance of timely medical care and accountability in healthcare institutions.
