Vijaya Diagnostic Centre Ordered To Pay ₹2 Lakh Fine

In its order, the commission directed the diagnostic centre to refund ₹1,700 collected from the complainant. An additional ₹20,000 was awarded towards litigation expenses, taking the total compensation to ₹2.2 lakh.

The victim, R. Bhargavi, had gone for a routine consultation on March 15, 2024, where her gynaecologist suspected the presence of a cyst on the foetus’ neck and advised her to undergo a Nuchal Translucency (NT) scan.

The next day, Bhargavi went to Vijaya Diagnostic Centre in Dilsukhnagar for the scan. Its report showed that the findings were normal, recording the NT value as 1.8 mm and making no mention of any cyst or abnormal growth.

Suspecting the findings, Bhargavi opted for a second scan two days later at a diagnostic centre in Kothapet. The subsequent scan revealed an 11 mm cyst on the left side of the foetus’ neck, a serious abnormality that had been missed earlier.

Doctors told her that relying on the initial report could have posed serious risks to both the mother and the foetus. Acting on medical advice, Bhargavi underwent a medical termination of pregnancy on March 22, 2024.

She later approached the consumer commission on July 3, 2024, alleging "negligence, mental trauma and financial loss". While Vijaya Diagnostic Centre claimed that the cyst was not visible during the NT scan, the commission, after examining medical records and evidence, spoke in Bhargavi’s favour.

The commission concluded that the failure to detect the cyst amounted to a deficiency in service and medical negligence, and passed orders for compensation and refunds.