Expressing serious displeasure over the delay in payment of compensation to two persons who were wrongfully transfused with HIV and hepatitis-infected bloods and taking action against the errant health officials, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has warned of coercive action against the Health Secretary for non submission of reports and his failure to reply to a show-cause notice.
While disposing of a petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer and human rights activist RadhakantaTripathy, the NHRC sought the requisite report by November 19 this year or else they would be asked to personally appear before it. In his petition, Tripathy alleged that two elderly patients were transfused with HIV and hepatitis infected blood in the Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR), Burla.
A 70-year-old person hailing from Rairakhole had undergone operation on June 13, 2016. A relative donated blood for the old man. But due to lack of blood, relatives blood was transfused to patient’s body. Later, ELISA test of blood revealed that it was HIV-infected. Besides, a 60-year-old person of Brajarajnagar was admitted to hospital on June 12, 2016 for leg surgery. The blood transfused in his body was hepatitis infected, a blood test report revealed, Tripathy contended in its petition.
He sought independent and impartial probe in both cases and compensation for both patients. Despite direction of commission, Chief Secretary has not submitted requisite reply to show-cause notice asking for payment of compensation Rs 1 lakh each to both patients.