June 26th 2024.
In a recent development, the National Human Rights Commission has taken action against the state government for medical negligence that resulted in serious health complications for a woman in Keonjhar. The commission has ordered the government to provide a compensation of Rs 4 lakh to the victim, Gurubari Mahanta, who suffered due to the actions of an Ayush doctor at the local community health centre in 2022. Additionally, the Chief Secretary has been directed to ensure that the amount is paid to the victim and a compliance report is submitted within six weeks.
According to the NHRC order, the Government of Odisha, through its Chief Secretary, has been recommended to release the compensation amount to the victim and submit a compliance report along with proof of payment within the given time frame. The state government has also agreed to the suggestion of deducting the compensation from the salary of the doctor responsible for the negligence, Ashok Kumar Sahoo.
The Chief District Medical Officer of Keonjhar conducted an inquiry into the matter and stated in their report that the Ayush doctor should have followed the guidelines set by the state government. This would have required him to refer the woman to the district headquarters hospital in Keonjhar, which is only 12 km away from Padmapur, after providing her with basic treatment. However, instead of following these protocols, the doctor stitched the victim's urinary bladder when she was admitted to the CHC on August 13, 2022, after experiencing severe bleeding during the delivery of her baby girl.
The CDMO report further highlighted that repairing extensive tears in the vagina, including an anal tear, is beyond the capacity of an Ayush doctor. Despite this, Dr Sahoo proceeded with the stitching without fully assessing the gravity of the situation and the potential complications that could arise. This reckless and ill-informed decision has caused immense suffering for the victim and her family.
In light of these findings, the NHRC has taken strict action against the responsible parties and has urged the state government to take necessary steps to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. The compensation provided to the victim will hopefully help her in her recovery and serve as a reminder to medical professionals to always adhere to the guidelines and prioritize the well-being of their patients above all else.
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