The family of a 24-year-old man, who had been fighting intellectual and physical disabilities right from his birth, is saddened by the move to present a gynaecologist, who was held responsible for medical negligence which caused his condition, with Padma Shri - the fourth highest civilian award of the country.
Shibu Thomas and Geetha Shibu Thomas who fought a 17-year-long legal battle, got justice in 2006, when the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum ruled that there was medical negligence on the part of gynaecologist Dr Subhadra Nair, and a paediatrician, which resulted in their newborn Naveen suffering from birth asphyxia (lack of oxygen supply during birth), leaving him intellectually disabled for life.
Both the doctors were consultants at a leading private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram, where Geetha was admitted for delivery. The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum also directed Dr Subhadra, the paediatrician, and the hospital, to jointly pay `11.29 lakh as compensation to the family. It was Naveen’s grandfather T C George who filed an appeal with the National Forum and actively pursued the case after the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission dismissed it.
Eight years later in 2014, on the eve of Republic Day, shocked by reports that Dr Subhadra Nair was among the Padma Shri award winners, the family wrote to the President of India and the Union Home Secretary asking whether proper verification was done before the gynaecologist was conferred with the honour. Over two months have passed but they are yet to get a reply.
“I have written to the President’s Secretary and the Union Home Secretary that a thorough investigation be carried out into the credentials of the gynaecologist. It also raises a larger question whether the country’s top honours should be given in such a casual manner,” said T C George.