During a session of Consumer Connect, a participant revealed that on June 4, 2022, his wife consulted a doctor for pain in the abdomen. He stated that, as per the doctors advice, the patient did a blood test and other tests, including sonography. The results of the imaging test revealed that she had a big fibroid.

He revealed that before consenting to the surgery, he asked the doctor in charge if they needed to get extra blood as the patient was obese and her blood group was A-negative. He noted that during the operation, he was called by the doctor and asked to get four bottles of blood urgently. However, he was only able to get three bottles as it was a rare blood group. Unfortunately, even before the third bottle of blood could be given, his wife took her last breath.

Based on the facts given by the petitioner, the National Consumer Grievances Redressal Commission stated that the patient was obese and of a rare blood group. The commission added that the doctor should not have started the surgery without ensuring the availability of adequate blood. In this case, bleeding was indicated as the proximate cause of death, which could have been avoided by ensuring an adequate supply of blood.

Hence, the commission noted that it was gross negligence on the part of the doctor to not take adequate precautions before starting the surgery. Further, they asked the petitioner to file a complaint with the District Consumer Forum. 

(Source: https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/consumer-connect-there-appears-to-be-clear-negligence-on-part-of-doctor-says-archana-sabnis )