Hospital, Gynecologist slapped Rs 17.5 lakh for failing to detect foetal anomaly

Mumbai: Holding the Vidula Nursing Home and its gynecologist Dr Pradip Pawar guilty of negligence, the Maharashtra State Consumer Commission slapped a compensation of Rs 17.5 lakhs on account of failing to detect a fetal anomaly.

Case is of a couple who after being unable to conceive after five years of marriage came under the care of gynaecologist Dr Pradip Pawar in the month of March, 1998. After going certain treatments, in June 1998, the complainant became pregnant. During the course of her pregnancy, she complained of high BP, frequent spotting at the genital area and referred to the doctor at each point. At each event, ultrasound was performed on the patient and the doctor again and again assured her that there was nothing wrong with her pregnancy. A total of 7-8 ultrasounds were performed on her.

Nearing the time of the delivery, dissatisfied with Dr Pawar, the complainant decided to change her gynecologist and went under the care of Dr.Ranjeet Mehta who asked her to go through another sonography. Two sonographies were performed in March 1999 which revealed, the foetus in the womb had a defective spinal canal with irregularities, which is termed in medical Parlance as Meningomyelocoele. Being in the 37th week of her pregnancy, the patient could not go for abortion and soon delivered through a caesarean section. The child was subsequently confirmed to have severe spinal disorder. At present the child is 15 yrs old and though of good intelligence has had to suffer the major problem of being paralyzed waits downwards with poorly developed lower limbs.