Pay Rs 75,000 to disable woman, hold inquiry against doctors

Srinagar, Jun 23 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has directed the authorities to pay Rs 75,000 as compensation to a woman who suffered disability during operation in a government hospital in December 2004.

The commission also directed the government to hold inquiry against the doctors who conducted her operation and if found guilty Rs 75,000 may be recovered from them as penalty and paid to the victim.

The four-page judgement by acting chairman of the SHRC Habibullah Bhat was given today on a petition filed by Sara Begum in which she alleged that during her operation in the SMHS hospital on December 31, 2004, she suffered an injury on her right hand.

She said her right hand was later operated upon in the Bone and Joint hospital on April 8,2005 and some bones were removed rendering her totally disabled for life.

Mr Bhat said the case was referred to Crime Branch and expert opinion of retired doctors was sought.

The experts, Prof Mohammad Afzal Wani, Prof Mehrajuddin and Prof Dr Nazir Ahmad Wani opined that Sara had suffered about 70 to 80 per cent permanent disability. However, they were silent about the causes responsible for the developing big wound on her right wrist.

He said the Crime Branch also did not rule out the negligence of doctors.

Mr Bhat said Sara with 80 per cent diability is a life long liability for her husband and her children as she is unable to do any work on her own.

He said, therefore, this commission recommends to the government to pay Rs 75,000 as it was a case of Human Rights violation due to mishandling by surgical and inadequate attention of doctors of SMHS hospital.

Mr Bhat also directed the government to constitute a committee for holding inquiry against the doctors on duty in the surgical unit of the hospital when the operation was done.

He said the committee during the inquiry should fully hear Sara and if the doctors are found guilty of medical negligence Rs 75,000 shall be charged from them as penalty to be paid to the victim.

The erring doctors should also be held liable for any other action recommended by the committee.

UNI BAS AKJ HT1430