Jharkhand: NCW directs Govt to improve hospitals for burn victims

Dumka: The National Commission for Women has recommended the Jharkhand government improve hospital infrastructure, which would ensure adequate treatments to burn victims following an investigation by a fact-finding committee following the death of a 15-year-old girl who was set ablaze by a stalker. 

The accused, identified as Shahrukh, threw petrol on the girl via a window on August 23 and set her on fire while she and her family were sleeping. She eventually passed away later that month. 

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Both the accused and his aide, Chotu Khan, who provided him with the petrol, have been arrested and booked for murder, reports the Indian Express. Following that, the fact-finding committee conducted its investigation. Their report stated, "Phulo Jhano Medical college, Dumka and Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi lacked the basic infrastructure for treatment of patients with severe burns. The State Government may be recommended to improve the hospitals' infrastructure to provide the best treatment in such exigency." 

The girl was first taken to Phulo Jhano Medical College and Hospital in Dumka with major burn injuries and was later referred to Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences in Ranchi for treatment where she eventually succumbed to her injuries. The report observed that "confusion regarding the degree of burn as alleged in media reports were clarified after discussion with different authorities." It further stated, "Phulo Jhano Medical College, Dumka had stated the burns to be less than 90% while the doctors of Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi informed that the burns were 60-65%. Further, the doctors informed that the chances of survival in cases with more than 50% burns are very less." 

The committee sought to clarify any "confusion" regarding the victim's age and ensured that she was a minor. Her death had led to protests and candle march in Dumka, with protesters and family members demanding capital punishment for the accused. 

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