BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT
B. PUGALENDHI, J.
Vasuki – Petitioner
Versus
The Secretary to Government, Health Department, Chennai – Respondent
W.P. (MD) No. 4505 of 2016, W.M.P. (MD) No. 4085 of 2016
Decided On : 28-04-2023
Constitution of India, 1950 - Article 226 - Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India seeking issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing respondents pay towards compensation to petitioner for medical negligence caused to petitioner resulting in life time financial constrains caused to petitioner to bring up her third child - Held, Court is not inclined to accede submission made by learned Additional Government Pleader - Family Planning is a National Programme being implemented through various Government Hospitals and Health Centres - Implementation of programme is directly in hands of Government, including Medical Officers - Medical Officers entrusted with implementation of Family Planning Programme cannot, by their negligent acts in not performing complete sterilization operation, sabotage scheme of national importance - People of country who co-operate by offering themselves voluntarily for sterilization reasonably expect that after undergoing operation, they would be able to avoid further pregnancy and consequent birth of additional child - Petitioner also offered herself voluntarily for sterilization operation, however, things went sideways due to improper performance of Doctor in conducting sterilization operation on petitioner, by which, she gave birth to third child - Writ petition disposed of.
ORDER :
Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents pay Rs.25,00,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Lakh only) towards compensation to the petitioner for the medical negligence caused to the petitioner resulting in life time financial constrains caused to the petitioner to bring up her third child.
1. The petitioner before this Court is a house wife and her husband is an Agricultural cooli. The petitioner gave birth to two children and after her second delivery on 19.07.2013 in the fifth respondent Hospital, the petitioner underwent Purperal Sterilization by Tubuctomy on 23.07.2013, in order to avoid further pregnancy. The surgery was performed by the sixth respondent and the petitioner was discharged from the Hospital on 29.07.2013. However, the petitioner was conceived again in the month of March, 2014 and gave birth to a third child on 06.01.2015. Thereafter, the petitioner again underwent the same procedure to prevent future pregnancy. With a grievance that the petitioner underwent another surgery and has to rear up another child due to the medical negligence of the respondents 5 & 6, she has made representations to the respondents seeking compensation. Since there was no proper response, she has moved the instant writ petition for a mandamus directing the respondents to grant compensation for the negligence in performing the Family Planning Operation.
2. Learned Counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner was already having two children. During her second delivery at the fifth respondent Hospital, she was given assurance that Puerperal Sterilization by Tubuctomy is a fool-proof methodology to avoid fresh pregnancy. Believing the version of the Doctors that there is no chance of fresh conception after the successful surgery performed by the sixth respondent in the fifth respondent Hospital, the petitioner and her husband entered into matrimonial obligations. However, shockingly, the petitioner got conceived again and immediately, the petitioner and her husband reported to the respondents 5 & 6. They have directed the petitioner to abort the child, but the petitioner refused to abort the child in the womb, since it is a sin. The petitioner delivered the third child on 03.01.2015, due to the medical negligence of the respondents 5 & 6 and she had undergone another surgery by same methodology. Thereafter, she had not conceived once again, which proves that the first surgery was unsuccessful. Therefore, the respondents are vicariously and jointly liable for the lapses committed and prayed for compensation.
3. Learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents, by referring to the counter affidavit filed by the fifth respondent, submitted that the petitioner was explained about the Family Planning Operation, its pros and cons, success rate and post-operative complications, etc. Only after getting the consent from the petitioner and her family members, the petitioner was conducted with the sterilization operation. The petitioner also gave an undertaking before the operation to the effect that she knows about the operation and that the Doctors and the Hospital authorities are not responsible and that she would inform the Hospital authorities within two weeks if she does not get her menstruation after undergoing the operation and she agrees to abort the fetus and that she will not claim any compensation. Having agreed to the terms, the petitioner is estopped from making any claim for compensation.
4. He further submitted that the petitioner did not obey the Doctor's advise to inform the Hospital authorities within two weeks, if she does not get her menstruation and it is not known as to whether the petitioner has strictly followed the prescriptions and advice given by the Hospital authorities. In any event, as per the Scheme, the petitioner can claim only a sum of Rs.30,000/- and therefore, he prayed for dismis
A.S. Mittal vs. State of U.P. AIR 1989 SC 1570
Dr. Laxman Balakrishna Joshi vs. Dr. Trimbak Bapu Godbole and Another
SupremeToday
Medical officers are liable for negligence in family planning operations, especially if their failure causes unexpected pregnancies, resulting in financial burden.
Medical professionals must ensure proper care in sterilization procedures; failure results in state liability to compensate for unwanted births and upbringing costs.
Negligence in performing sterilization surgery mandates state compensation for economic burdens arising from an unwanted child, reaffirming the responsibilities of medical professionals within family....
Negligence in performing sterilisation operation entitles the petitioner to compensation, and the State Government is responsible for such negligence.
Compensation for failed sterilization claims arises from surgical negligence, not childbirth; exceptional circumstances may warrant financial relief.
Compensation for sterilization failure under Family Planning Indemnity Scheme is fixed at Rs.60,000, limiting claims against negligent medical practices unless statutory provisions allow for higher a....
The burden lies on the defendants to prove that there was no negligence in cases of failed sterilization operation. The court also emphasized the need for the State Government to devise provisions fo....
Failure of sterilization does not automatically constitute negligence; liability exists only with proof of malpractice, not merely based on resultant pregnancy.
The judgment emphasizes the need to establish negligence or carelessness on the part of the medical practitioner in failed sterilization cases, highlighting the burden of proof on the plaintiff and t....
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