FOLLOWING ARE THE RIGHTS OF CONSUMER: *Right to be protected from hazardous goods and services *Right to be informed about the quality and performance of goods and services *Rights to free choice of goods and services *Right to be heard in decision making process concerning consumer interests *Right to redressal if consumer rights are infringed *Right to consumer education THE PATIENT AS A CONSUMER Traditionally, patients in India have unquestioning trust in their doctors. Most doctors deserve it. But in some cases, medical negligence has resulted in severe harm physical, mental and financial . In addition, Unqualified practitioners have brought suffering to gullible patients. Doctors have been liable to prosecution in civil court, but few malpractice victims sue for compensation, fearing years (even decades) of costly litigation. Fortunately, in 1995 the Supreme Court decreed the medical profession to be a "service" under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986.It set aside a writ...