NHRC orders probe into alleged maternal deaths, kidney failure after C-sections in Rajasthan

New Delhi, July 17 (IANS) The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken cognisance of a complaint alleging that several women died under suspicious circumstances and many others suffered kidney failure after undergoing Caesarean (C-section) deliveries at government hospitals in Rajasthan, particularly the Prince Bijay Singh Memorial (PBM) Hospital in Bikaner.

A Bench presided over by NHRC Member Priyank Kanoongo on Thursday issued notices to the Bikaner Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Pukhraj Saad, Bikaner District Magistrate Nishant Jain, Rajasthan Medical, Health and Family Welfare Department’s Principal Secretary Gayatri A. Rathore, Jaipur Directorate of Medical and Health Services (DMHS) Director General Ravi Prakash Sharma, and the Chairman of the National Medical Commission (NMC) Abhijat Chandrakant Sheth, directing them to inquire into the allegations and submit an Action Taken Report (ATR) within two weeks.

The action has been initiated under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, which empowers the apex human rights body to inquire into alleged violations of human rights.

According to the complaint, several patients who underwent C-section deliveries developed kidney failure and are presently on ventilator support and undergoing daily dialysis.

Referring to media reports, the complainant alleged that the incidents may have resulted from medical negligence, contaminated medicines or serious lapses in treatment and hospital administration.

Seeking the NHRC’s intervention, the complainant requested an independent high-level inquiry into the incidents, stringent action against the officials found responsible, compensation for the affected families, and directions to prevent recurrence of such incidents.

After examining the complaint, the NHRC said that the allegations, prima facie, appear to involve violations of the human rights of the victims.

The apex human rights body directed the concerned authorities, including the National Medical Commission, to investigate the allegations and submit a detailed Action Taken Report within two weeks for its consideration.

–IANS

pds/khz