Taking suo motu congnizance of media reports about the death of a 10-month-old child of a labourer due to delayed treatment and inability to bribe the staff at a government hospital in Bahraich last Tuesday, The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issued a notice to Principal Secretary, Health & Family Welfare asking for a report within four weeks. The state government has already ordered an enquiry into the matteron Wednesday.
Issuing the notice, the Commission also observed that the incident raised serious issues of violation of right to life of poor patients who approach government hospitals for treatment.
The government hospitals are approached by general public, especially the poor people, who cannot afford expensive treatment at private hospitals. Timely treatment in this case, could have saved a precious human life.
As per media reports on Wednesday, 10-month-old Krishna was brought to Children’s Ward at the Bahraich government hospital with high fever. The nurse asked for money to get documents in order. The sweeper of the ward asked for a bribe to place the child on the bed and the next morning, a medical assistant asked for money for an injection required for the treatment of the child. In theory, the hospital does not charge for the injection. After an argument, the injection was brought but unfortunately, before it could be administered, the child succumbed.
Daily wahe earner and the child’s father Shivdutt alleged that every staff wanted a bribe and the doctors did not ask as they have private practice. He also said, “I think one should sell one’s land and go to a private hospital.”
As the incident sparked outrage, the state government swung into damage-control mode with Minister of state for Health SP Yadav directing the DM to enquire the incident and send a report within 24 hours.
Sources said that Shivdutt told local reporters that his son was down with high fever and he had admitted him in the district hospital on August 7 for treatment after paying Rs 100 to the nurse and Rs 30 to a sweeper for a bed in the children’s ward. He said that his son was not given proper treatment by the nurse who gave him a wrong injection after which he died.
The infant’s mother alleged that on Tuesday morning, a medical assistant asked them for money to get a crucial injection for Krishna. “I asked him to give me some time...I promised to give him whatever amount he asked for,” Sumita said.
Meanwhile the minister termed the incident as an isolated one. “We will take action on the basis of the report. Whosoever is guilty...be it paramedical staff, doctor or any other employee, he or she will not be spared,” Yadav said. “It is a sad incident. At the same time it is an isolated incident. Government hospitals in the state are doing their work. Sometimes there are reports of negligence, but this is an isolated case,” he said.
“Chief Medical Superintendent of the district hospital OP Pandey instituted an inquiry against nurse Asha Singh by a panel of three doctors and removed her from the ward. Besides, the sweeper who took money hasbeen sacked,” he said.
The Chief Medical Superintendent, however, ruled out administration of wrong injection, saying it was an antibiotic and there was nothing wrong in it.