Landmark Court Judgment
Following a directive from the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the Haryana Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has ordered all doctors in government and private hospitals, clinics, and health centres to write diagnosis and prescriptions in capital or bold letters. The court had earlier ruled that legible prescriptions are integral to a patient’s Fundamental Right to Health under Article 21 of the Constitution.
Case That Sparked the Change
The HC issued the directive after expressing shock that it could not decipher even a single word from a medico-legal report in a rape case due to illegible handwriting by doctors. Observing that such lapses can endanger lives by causing medication errors, incorrect dosages, or even fatalities, the bench mandated clearer documentation until digitisation and typed prescriptions become universal.
Haryana’s Compliance Measures
Responding swiftly, the state health department has made it compulsory for doctors to use capital or bold letters in prescriptions. Pharmacies have been instructed to reject unclear prescriptions, while workshops will be organised to standardise documentation practices. Officials also confirmed that e-prescriptions are being piloted in select districts, in line with national efforts to digitise healthcare.
Towards Safer Healthcare
According to experts, illegible handwriting has long been a leading cause of preventable patient harm globally. By enforcing this directive, Haryana aims to remove ambiguity, improve patient safety, and enhance transparency in healthcare delivery.
