In a ruling that underscores the importance of informed medical consent, the Chennai North District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed a city hospital and its attending gynaecologist to pay ₹33.65 lakh in compensation after a premature infant lost five fingers due to gangrene. The baby was born at just 24 weeks, and the commission held the hospital responsible for negligence in inserting a cervical pessary device without the mother’s proper consent. The procedure—intended to prevent premature labor—was allegedly carried out without any clear medical emergency or explanation, resulting in severe complications shortly after birth.
The commission ruled that the hospital failed to demonstrate any urgency that would have justified bypassing consent and criticized the medical team for not conducting adequate testing before the procedure. The premature delivery led to the baby being transferred to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), where signs of gangrene quickly emerged. Despite efforts to save the infant’s hand, all five fingers on the right hand had to be amputated. The Commission found both the hospital and the doctor guilty of medical negligence, directing them to pay ₹23.65 lakh for medical expenses, ₹10 lakh for pain and suffering, and ₹10,000 for litigation costs.
The mother, who had been undergoing fertility treatment and was 22 weeks pregnant at the time, was reportedly unaware of the nature and risks associated with the pessary procedure. The ruling emphasized the obligation of medical professionals to obtain informed consent and communicate clearly with patients about potential outcomes. In its verdict, the Commission reinforced that patient autonomy and safety cannot be compromised, especially in sensitive cases involving premature birth and fertility-related treatments.
