Dr. S. M. Kantikar, Member—Hepatitis C is one of the commonest chronic viral infections world-wide and has major healthcare and health economic implications.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is relatively common among patients with end-stage renal (kidney) disease (ESRD) on dialysis and kidney transplant recipients. HCV infection in hemodialysis patients is associated with an increased mortality due to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The severity of hepatitis C-related liver disease in kidney transplant candidates may predict patient and graft survival after transplant. Liver biopsy remains the gold standard in the assessment of liver fibrosis in this setting. Kidney transplantation, not haemodialysis, seems to be the best treatment for HCV+ve patients with ESRD.

1. The complainant, Smt. Rashmi Taryon, filed this complaint in 2002 against OPs alleging medical negligence, which caused death of her husband, Mr. Rajesh.

2. The brief facts of the complaint are that Mr. Rajesh Taryon, since deceased, (hereinafter referred to as ‘the patient’) was suffering from chronic renal failure (CRF). He was on regular dialysis on OPD basis since 3.10.1999. The patient approached