Patients have right to take their medical records under RTI from Hospitals, rules CIC

The Central Information Commission (CIC) in a far reaching judgment, delivered a detailed judgment on 24^th July 2014 holding that a person has right to take copy of his or her medical records from the hospital., whether Govt or private hospitals, under RTI Act. The Commission referred to various judgments and constitutional provisions as also medical ethics in support of its judgment.

This judgment was delivered in the case of Ms. Nisha Priya Bhatia vs Institute of Human Behaviour & Allied Sciences, Govt of NCT of Delhi on 24^th July 2014.

Read the Full Judgment. 

Sunil Goel advocate B.Sc. L.Lb L.Lm

Supreme Court of India awards highest compensation in medical negligence case

Dear Friends,

The Supreme Court of India has pronounced a landmark judgment on 24th October 2013 on the quantum of compensation to be awarded in cases of medical negligence. This case pertains to Dr.Kunal Saha, a doctor in US, whose wife died due to medical negligence due to medical negligence of the doctors and hospital at Kolkatta about 15 years back. The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission had awarded Rs.1.34 crore which has been enhanced by the Supreme Court to Rs.6.08 crore. 

The Supreme Court, in this 210 page judgment, referred to several earlier judgments of itself  as well as of foreign courts and beautifully discussed the law of compensation in detail. The Court also advised the medical practitioners to be vigilant in future and to continuously update themselves with latest developments in medical field so that such incidents do not recur.

This judgment, I feel, will go a long way, in furthering the right to good health of the masses and will check the tendency on part of some medical practitioners to take their patients and their work lightly. 

Read the full judgment.

Sunil Goel advocate B.Sc. L.Lb L.Lm