Acting on a complaint filed by a human rights activist, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued direction to the State Health Secretary to file a fresh report within six weeks on a case of mismanagement at a family planning operation camp held in February at Puri.
Rejecting the already filed reports of the Health authorities on this issue, the Commission has given this order. Akhand, a journalist and a HR activist, has sought appropriate action against the medical officers responsible for arranging the camp at Puri District Hospital and has demanded compensation for the patients.
It was alleged that on February 10, 2013, after operation at the family planning operation camp, 150 women in semi-conscious state were dumped outside. Some of them were found taking rest under the tree and some on the verandah of the hospital and some were sent back in rickshaws to their homes without keeping them under mandatory observation.
Only one doctor had operated upon 150 patients. In response to the NHRC directions, Principal Secretary, Department of Health and Family Welfare, has replied that four surgeons were engaged in operation and three other doctors were supervising the preliminary screening of the patients at the camp.
After the operation, the patients took rest in the waiting space and some of them were in semi-conscious state due to effect of anaesthesia. However, before discharge, all the patients were thoroughly examined, the report said, adding that no complaint of any post-operation complications has been received from any of the patients.
The complainant has challenged the correctness of the report. He argued that only one doctor was present in the camp who alone had done more than 150 operations in less than six hours. As per standard operating procedure prepared by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the maximum number of sterilisation cases performed by a team should not exceed 50 a day. Further, at least 20 staff are required in a camp like this.
The petitioner alleged that there was neither average waiting space for the patients nor alternative arrangement was made.