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Bhubaneswar, May 23: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Saturday directed the principal secretary of the state’s health department to constitute a team of doctors and administrators to conduct an inquiry in a case in which a woman died few hours after sterilization under the family planning programme.
The commission asked the principal secretary to inquire into the cause of death and ascertain if there was any medical negligence.
“The principal secretary of the health department is directed to submit a report on the matter within four weeks,” NHRC said.
The commission’s directives follow a complaint lodged with it August 3, 2014, alleging that Chandrakanti Barik wife of Paramanand Barik of Ghanamal Village died few hours after sterilization under family planning programme.
“Chandrakanti was subjected to sterilisation by doctor Ashok Das and his team at Padmapur sub-divisional hospital July 28, 2014. After completion of the sterilization, she returned to her village. However, that night she suffered severe pain,” human rights activist Subash Mohapatra said.
“Chandrakanti’s family members brought her to Padmapur sub-divisional hospital for treatment, but the authorities referred the case to Baragarh DHH. The authorities of Baragarh DHH then referred the case to VSS Medical College and Hospital, Burla, but unfortunately she died while being treated there,” he said.
Mohapatra also alleged that the hospital authorities even offered a bribe to Chandrakanti’s family members to refraining from lodging a complaint with the local police.
Chandrakanti’s family members complained to the head of the sub-divisional hospital at Padmapur and chief district medical officer about the medical negligence on the part of Dr Ashok Das and his team and sought legal action against them. However, the authorities concerned did not pay any heed to their request.
Earlier, in compliance of the order of the commission, special secretary to Orissa government, health and family welfare department, had submitted a report November 3, 2014, stating that the matter was inquired into and it was found that the deceased had no past history of any disease. The operating surgeon had after clinical examination found the patient fit for undergoing the sterilisation operation. The patient was normal at the time of operation July 28, 14, after which the tubectomy operation was done.
The report further said all possible treatment was given to the patient at the hospital but unfortunately she died.
The report also asserted that there was no negligence on part of the doctor who conducted the operation and that the allegations leveled by the family members of the deceased are baseless.
However, the NHRC said it is not clear as to on what basis the Orissa government has come to a conclusion that there was no negligence on the part of Dr Ashok Das and his team.
