Cuttack: National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has asked the state govt to explain the circumstances surrounding the death of a patient at SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack, after receiving a complaint alleging medical negligence in the hospital’s nephrology department.In a communication dated July 24, the commission directed the health and family welfare secretary to furnish an action taken report (ATR) within four weeks. The direction came after the NHRC considered a complaint submitted by Jeypore-based human rights activist and advocate Anup Kumar Patro.According to the commission’s proceedings, the complaint, dated March 28, alleged that a patient developed severe breathing difficulty on the night of March 25 while undergoing treatment at SCB Medical College Hospital.
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It claimed that oxygen support was delayed, the oxygen cylinder brought for the patient was empty and no doctor attended to him despite repeated requests from his family.“Let a copy of complaint be transmitted to the secretary, health and family welfare, govt of Odisha, calling for an action taken report within four weeks,” the NHRC said in its order, while forwarding the complaint to the state govt.Patro urged the commission to invoke its powers under Section 12(a) of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. He sought a spot inquiry by the NHRC investigation division into the alleged medical negligence, directions to SCB Medical College authorities to submit a detailed report along with CCTV footage of the ward on the night of the incident, and compensation for the bereaved family.According to reports, the 45-year-old patient, a resident of Bhubaneswar undergoing treatment for kidney disease, had been admitted to the hospital on March 19. He died on the night of March 25. His wife subsequently lodged an FIR at Mangalabag police station, accusing the hospital of medical negligence.lalmohanpatnaik2019@gmail.com
