In Brief
A premature baby born at 32 weeks with low birth weight was admitted to a hospital's neonatal ICU. Despite mandatory medical protocols requiring screening for Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP)—a condition that causes childhood blindness—the hospital and its paediatric and ophthalmology doctors failed to conduct proper screening or advise the parents of the risks. The child developed ROP undetected and reached Stage 5 (irreversible blindness) before diagnosis at 8 months of age. The Supreme Court upheld the National Commission's finding of gross medical negligence, increased compensation from Rs. 64 lakhs to Rs. 76 lakhs, and directed structured investment of funds to ensure long-term education and care for the blind child throughout his life.
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