Lack of basic facilities at hospitals medical malpractice: SC.

Government and private hospitals, medical centres and clinics that deny existing facilities that are essential for patients are liable to face action, according to a Supreme Court ruling. "We must bear in mind that negligence is attributed when existing facilities are not availed of. Medical negligence cannot be attributed for not rendering a facility which was not available," a bench of justices SB Sinha and Deepak Verma held. "If hospitals knowingly fail to provide some amenities that are fundamental for patients, it would certainly amount to medical malpractice." [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]