COVID-19 Death at ESI: NHRC notice to Labour Ministry questioning non referral to tie up hospital

Published On 2021-10-27 06:37 GMT   |   Update On 2021-10-27 06:37 GMT
Advertisement

New Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission has issued a show-cause notice to the Union Labour Ministry over alleged medical negligence in the treatment of a suspected coronavirus patient at an ESI hospital here, which led to his death at a tie-up facility, officials said.

The notice has been sent to the secretary of the ministry and he has also been directed to inquire into the matter and submit a report with details, the NHRC said.

Advertisement

Also Read:NHRC directs Health Ministry, Delhi Govt to act on treatment deficiency, negligence at Delhi hospitals

In a statement, the rights panel said it has issued a notice to the secretary, Union Ministry of Labour & Employment "to show cause why it should not recommend Rs 2 lakh as monetary relief to the next of kin of the patient, who died due to medical negligence" of an ESI facility.

The complainant had alleged that "his father was seriously ill and was suspected of having Covid-19 infection. The ESI hospital in Jhilmil, Delhi, kept referring to him from one government hospital to another, without admitting to the emergency ward, or providing treatment," the statement said. "The hospital did not refer him to even a private hospital attached with ESI timely, where he could get a bed and timely treatment," it added.

According to the proceedings of the case, available on the NHRC website, the death took place at Prakash Hospital in May last year. The man was brought to the ESI hospital by his son, for the first visit on May 25, 2020. The patient was clinically evaluated and found to be a Covid-19 suspect, according to the case proceedings.

"After a persuasive search, one of the tie-up hospital, namely Prakash Hospital agreed to take the patient. The patient was immediately referred to Prakash Hospital on 28.05.2020, and he was admitted there. The patient succumbed to his illness on 29.05.2020," it said. The rights panel in the statement said that earlier, on the basis of the material on record, the Commission had found that there was a "gross negligence in treatment, referral by the doctors at the ESI hospital, which caused delay in the treatment of the patient leading to his death".

The Commission observed that this "act of negligence" violated the Right to Health and Right to Life of the victim under Article 21 of the constitution. The NHRC has also asked the secretary of the ministry to submit a report, responding to several queries, including whether Covid-19 negative report is a pre-requisite for getting treatment at ESIC hospital.

"Why the doctors including CMO/superintendent were not aware about any tie-up hospital (the doctors took three days to find the hospital) where the patient could have been referred to," the NHRC wrote in another query. Why the patient was not checked up or treated by the emergency duty medical officer, is another query, the rights panel has asked while seeking the report, according to the statement. The Commission has also sought additional details from the director general of the ESIC (Employees State Insurance Corporation) in this case, officials said.

Also Read:Covid-19 positive Delhi doctor dies after lung transplant in Hyderabad

Tags:    
Article Source : PTI

Disclaimer: This website is primarily for healthcare professionals. The content here does not replace medical advice and should not be used as medical, diagnostic, endorsement, treatment, or prescription advice. Medical science evolves rapidly, and we strive to keep our information current. If you find any discrepancies, please contact us at corrections@medicaldialogues.in. Read our Correction Policy here. Nothing here should be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We do not endorse any healthcare advice that contradicts a physician's guidance. Use of this site is subject to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Advertisement Policy. For more details, read our Full Disclaimer here.

NOTE: Join us in combating medical misinformation. If you encounter a questionable health, medical, or medical education claim, email us at factcheck@medicaldialogues.in for evaluation.

Our comments section is governed by our Comments Policy . By posting comments at Medical Dialogues you automatically agree with our Comments Policy , Terms And Conditions and Privacy Policy .

Similar News