In a latest case, the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) was directed to pay ₹2 lakh remuneration after a patient’s lung crumpled due to alleged carelessness. At first sight, this may appear like justice delivered. But the larger question persists—is money alone enough to address the trauma, pain, and breach of trust caused by medical negligence?
The Cost of Negligence
Medical fallacies are not just clinical adversities—they are life-changing events. A crumpled lung is not a small difficulty; it brings infinite physical suffering, lengthened hospital stays, psychological distress, and in many cases, long lasting health challenges. The patient’s body pays off the lofty price, yet the institution bears only a fiscal penalty—often much little than the destruction caused.
Compensation vs. Accountability
Compensation provides some reassurance, but it does not inevitably warranty accountability. When carelessness occurs:
Was it due to lack of expertise?
Was it due to systemic failure?
Or was it complete negligence?
Unless these questions are negotiated, fines become a mere courtesy—paid off without organized change or refinement in patient protection.
The Problem with Token Amounts
In a country where medical expenses can effortlessly run into lakhs, ₹2 lakh remuneration often feels like a token posture. It neither covers the psychological scars nor ensures the organizational reforms needed to restrict recurrence. For the patient and their family, justice is far more than money—it is about belief, honour, and answerability.
The Way Forward
1. Fair Investigations – Every carelessness case must be examined fairly, not brushed under the carpet.
2. Structural Reforms – Hospitals must learn from mistakes and develop safeguards to restrict future carelessness.
3. Higher Penalties for Gross Negligence – financial fines should be equal to the damage caused, acting as a real deterrent.
4. Patient-friendly Approach – Compensation should include not just monetary gains, but also medical rehabilitation, emotional help, and long-lasting support.
Beyond Compensation: Restoring Trust
Patients step into hospitals with full faith in the medical system. When carelessness shatters that belief, rebuilding it takes more than compensation—it needs a cultural shift in healthcare, where answerability not fretted but embraced.
Until then, the question will keep stirring us: Is ₹2 lakh enough for a collapsed lung, or is it just the cost of quietness?
Compensation vs. Accountability: Is ₹2 Lakh Enough for a Collapsed Lung?
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