Hyderabad: The medical fraternity wants the Consumer Protection Act to be amended and also a cap to be placed on the maximum compensation that can be demanded and awarded in cases of medical negligence.
Indian Medical Association, Hyderabad, has strongly placed this demand before both the states, asking them to look into the law.
IMA secretary Dr Yadgiri Rao said, “We want the governments to understand that doctors are scared of taking prompt decisions as there is always a fear of a case of medical negligence. Why are so many tests ordered by doctors before deciding on a course of treatment? One of the prime reasons is to safeguard themselves. Due to this not only the poor, but also the middle-income group is suffering as health expenses are mounting.”
While doctors are insisting on changes, Ravinder Sharma of the Forum for Better Health said, “The government has to ensure that the rights of consumers are not compromised. The law has helped in brining about a sense of responsibility and that must not be overlooked.”
