Family of country's first H1N1 victim has sued Jehangir hospital and Ruby Hall Clinic alleging medical negligence, demands Rs 1 crore compensation
Family of country's first H1N1 victim has sued Jehangir hospital and Ruby Hall Clinic alleging medical negligence, demands Rs 1 crore compensation
Two years ago, city schoolgirl Reeda Shaikh became the first victim of H1N1 infection and the country's first casualty to the virus. On August 3, 2009, the std IX student of St Anne's High School in Camp breathed her last at Jehangir hospital. Her grief-stricken family had launched a bitter court battle against the doctors treating her, the hospital and Ruby Hall Clinic that allegedly misdiagnosed her with a false negative report for the infection.
Seeking justice:u00a0Reeda Sheikh's family says medical negligence was
cause of girl's death. file pic
ADVERTISEMENT
On the occasion of the second anniversary of Reeda's death, her aunt Ayesha Shaikh said that though the family was trying to move on, the pain remains as they feel justice was denied to them. "I don't think that the family got what they deserved. The case for compensation is going on in the consumer court, let's see what happens. As a family, all we can do is pray for Reeda's soul and we have organised prayers in her memory today," said Ayesha.
When asked if the school was doing anything in Reeda's memory or had ever contacted the family, a bitter Ayesha said that there had been no acknowledgment of Reeda's death even last year. "We don't expect anything; they didn't do anything for Reeda even before this so why now? They don't even remember her as a student," said Ayesha.
Reeda's aunt said the girl's parents had moved on as they were left with no choice. "They have to live, right? But that doesn't mean we have forgotten or forgiven," said Ayesha. Asif Lampwala, the family's lawyer who is fighting the case in the consumer court on behalf of the family, said the next and final hearing was on August 18, 2011.
"We had initially filed a criminal case and asked for Rs 5 crore in compensation but that case was dismissed. A fresh case was filed in consumer court citing deficiency in services and medical negligence, which has been admitted. It will come up for hearing on August 18," he said. This time, the family has demanded Rs 1 crore.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
