Hospital Held Liable for Fatal Negligence in ICU Delay

The Maharashtra consumer commission has deemed Wockhardt Hospitals in Nashik guilty of service deficiency, linking a young patient's death to delayed ICU admission. The hospital faces an 18 lakh rupee compensation penalty.

The commission emphasized patients' rights to timely, competent care, a principle backed by Supreme Court rulings regarding immediate emergency treatment. This case highlights systemic healthcare issues.

The father of the deceased alleged gross negligence, as the patient was only moved to the ICU hours after critical symptoms emerged. The hospital contested this, blaming the patient's underlying health issues and non-compliance for his death.

(With inputs from agencies.)