REGIONAL CENCER CENTRE, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM Vs. N. BALAKRISHNA MENON

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The complainant Balkrishan Menon was a member of Cancer Care for Life Scheme (CCL) of Regional Cancer Centre (RCC), Thiruvananthapuram. He opted for Scheme NO. III with Plan-B under which, maximum financial support for cancer treatment under this plan extends to Rs.5,00,000/- (Rs. Five Lacs Only). He was suffering from colonic cancer with intestinal obstruction and was referred by PVS Memorial Hospital to the RCC on 02.02.2007. At the RCC (OP), he was evaluated on 03.02.2007 and diagnosed as "Carcinoma Descending Colon with Colonic obstruction" growth in the sigmoid colon with obstructive symptoms. Hence, he was advised to consult surgical oncologist, but he took treatment and underwent left colectomy on 05.02.2007 at PVS Memorial hospital. Thereafter, he was discharged on 14.03.2007. The patient again approached the OP on 01.06.2007 and was re-operated for colostomy. On 07.08.2007, the colostomy closure was done. The complainant submitted the claim under the CCL Scheme, which was rejected by the OP. Therefore, aggrieved by this repudiation and deficiency in service, the complainant filed the complaint before the Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Alappuzha (hereinafter referred to as "District Forum").

(2.) The District Forum allowed the complaint and directed to pay Rs.3.25 lacs plus Rs.15,000/- as compensation. Aggrieved by the order of the District Forum, the OP filed First Appeal before the State Commission, which was dismissed in limine.

(3.) Hence, this revision petition.