In Brief
A 56-year-old woman admitted to a private hospital with dengue fever died after 13 hours of hospitalization. The Supreme Court held that the hospital was liable for medical negligence. Although the doctors followed WHO-approved treatment guidelines, they failed to monitor the patient's blood parameters (such as platelet counts and hemoglobin levels) during critical hours, contrary to those same guidelines. Regular monitoring would have detected the deterioration. The hospital director was not held personally liable as he was not the treating physician. The Court enhanced compensation from Rs. 6 lakhs to Rs. 15 lakhs, recognizing the economic value of the deceased wife's contributions to family welfare, plus 9% interest from the date of complaint.
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