The Super Religare Laboratories Ltd has been directed by a consumer forum here to pay Rs.1.43 lakh to a patient for incorrectly concluding that she was suffering from the highly infectious disease swine flu.
The forum also suggested to the Centre and the Delhi Government to consider taking appropriate action against the hospitals or diagnostic labs which “propagate” false reports on dangerous diseases and cause panic among general public.
“We hold opposite party (Super Religare Laboratories) deficient in providing the services and reporting a disease which was non-existent. The complainant (Pushpa Gupta) did not only suffer physically, mentally and socially but also financially.
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“She has claimed a sum of Rs.1,43,662 which includes the cost of mental agony and harassment. We feel that it should be granted,” said the East District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, while directing the lab to pay the amount. The forum's order came on a plea by Rajasthan resident Pushpa Gupta, who was admitted to Shanti Mukand Hospital here for treatment after she developed cold and fever. - PTI