The Uttar Pradesh Government has been served a notice by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) over the death of a 10-month-old child in Bahraich last Tuesday due to alleged delayed treatment in a Government hospital as the parents failed to pay bribe for an injection.
The NHRC issued a notice to Principal Secretary, Health & Family Welfare, asking for a report within four weeks. The State Government had already ordered an enquiry into the matter on Wednesday.
As per media reports, 10-month-old Krishna who was suffering from high fever, was brought to Children’s Ward of Bahraich Government hospital by his parents who are daily wage earners. The nurse asked for money to get the documents in order. The sweeper of the ward asked for a bribe to provide a bed for the child and the next morning, a medical assistant asked for money for an injection required for the treatment of the child. 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.
Shivdutt told reporters that his son was down with high fever and was admitted to 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 Chief Medical Superintendent of the district hospital OP Pandey, however, ruled out administration of wrong injection, saying it was an antibiotic and there was nothing wrong in it.
As the incident sparked outrage, the State Government swung into damage-control mode with Minister of State for Health SP Yadav directing the District Magistrate to probe the incident and send a report within 24 hours.
However, 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, doctors or any other employees, he or she will not be spared. 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,” Yadav said.
“The Chief Medical Superintendent instituted an enquiry against nurse, Asha Singh and removed her from the ward. Besides, the sweeper who took money has been sacked,” Yadav added.
The child’s father Shivdutt alleged that most of the staff asked for money to perform their duties, however, the doctors did not ask for money as they run private practices. He also said, “I think one should sell one’s land and go to a private hospital.