Odisha human rights body orders Rs 2 lakh for kin of medical neglect victim

The Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) on Thursday directed ex gratia payment of `2 lakh to the kin of an eight-year-old girl who died allegedly due to negligence of the medical officer of a commun

BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) on Thursday directed ex gratia payment of `2 lakh to the kin of an eight-year-old girl who died allegedly due to negligence of the medical officer of a community health centre in Pattamundai two years back.
The compensation amount must be recovered from the medical officer, Dr Bhaskar Chandra Kar, ordered the rights panel on Thursday.

As per the case records, Sujata Nayak, daughter of Basudev Nayak of Baipada under Pattamundai police limits, was brought to the CHC during early hours of April 10, 2015.
In his petition, rights activist Prabir Das stated that Sujata, who was allegedly suffering from pneumonia, died because treatment was not provided to her by Dr Kar. Das alleged that when Sujata was taken to the CHC, Dr Kar was not in the hospital but in his official residence. However, when family members approached him, he did not come to attend the patient and even misbehaved with them as he was then reportedly in an inebriated condition. Later, the patient died without treatment.

The OHRC perused the report of Assistant District Medical Officer (Public Health), Kendrapara which revealed that Dr Kar examined the patient and declared her dead. The post-mortem report revealed that death of the girl might have occurred much before her arrival at the hospital.
The report also revealed that two doctors of the District Headquarters Hospital examined Dr Kar and opined that he had not taken any alcohol as alleged.
The SP’s report suggested that when Sujata was brought to Pattamundai CHC, Dr Kar was present in the duty room but did not open the door. At about 6 am, he opened the door in an inebriated condition to check the patient and declared her dead.

When Sujata’s father and others held him responsible for the death, he allegedly abused them and broke the empty wine bottle in the duty room which led to a serious law and order situation. Dr Kar was arrested and produced in court the same day. After completion of investigation, chargesheet was submitted. The OHRC asked Dr Kar for his response but the letter returned with the postal remark ‘the addressee has left’.
The OHRC has sought compliance report from the Health Department within eight weeks.

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