Taking a serious view of the allegation that many Government and private hospitals are running without the requisite registration and fire safety measures, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) to probe the allegation and action.
Acting on a complaint filed by Angul-based Human Rights Watch secretary Sangita Swain, the apex human rights watchdog has transmitted the case to the OHRC under Section 13(6) of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 with the request for disposal of the case in accordance with the law. “The Directorate of Medical Education and Training (DMET) is allowing Government/private hospitals in Odisha to function without registration and adequate fire safety certificate under the Odisha Clinical Establishment (Control & Regulation) Act 1992 and has also given fake registration number to the private hospital to escape any allegation gross violation of human rights. It is happening due to inaction/unlawful action and abetment by the concerned public authorities,” the petitioner contended. The petitioner had urged the commission to initiate criminal/departmental/disciplinary proceeding against the concerned negligent officials of the DMET who have allotted fake registration number to the hospitals.