Tripura Human Rights Commission has asked the state government to frame appropriate and detailed guidelines for private hospitals. The guidelines should include matters in respect of the procedure for admission, treatment, surgery and other activities in such hospital including tentative fees and other hospital charges and also specific guidelines for counselling the patient/patient party about the manner and nature of treatment etc. in the public interest.
The Human Rights body’s suggestion came along with its recommendation for investigation by CID or a Special Investigation Team into the death of one Purba Paul in the ILS hospital.
The patient, an expecting mother Purba Paul was admitted for delivery in the hospital on November 23 last year but after developing some complications she died on January 5. The patient party smelt something wrong in the whole treatment process and also alleged that the hospital authority did not first release the body of the deceased until and unless a huge Rs 17 lakh plus bill was not paid. Later the bill was waived off and the body was released and also sent for post mortem.
The family members alleged that they were kept in the dark as to what was going on and only allowed them to watch the patient from far.
The news was published in a local newspaper and the THRC took cognisance of it. The commission asked for report from the ILS and also asked the police to conduct an inquiry. The state government also formed a board to probe into the case as per dire4ction from the THRC. After examining the reports, the THRC found some discrepancies in ILS report –which said the baby was in fallopian tube and needed surgery. The THRC noted that the ILS report said the patient developed ‘Diffuse Hypoxic Injury ‘which ultimately led to her death. But the report did not clarify as to why the Diffuse Hypoxic Injury developed since the patient obviously did not get admitted with this and it seemed the Diffuse Hypoxic Injury was caused during surgery. The commission took exception that the hospital authority maintained a hush hush and did not transparently and adequately also keep the patient party informed. The Medical Board also observed that there was no specialist coverage for 24X7 in the ILS. It suggested that the ILS should engage specialist coverage for ICU patients.
Having recorded the medical reports the THRC observed that it was quite likely that the fatal complications developed due to high flow carbon dioxide when general anaesthesia was given.
The THRC then asked the police to hand over the investigation-initiated u/s 157 Cr.P.C to the CID or a Special Investigation Team. It also asked the Investigating Agency to take steps to obtain an expert opinion as to whether there was any deliberate negligence on the part of ILS Hospital or its doctors while the anaesthesia was applied to the patient Purba Paul for a simple procedure.
Since the patient Purba Paul was in Coma since surgery on 23/11/2023 and did not regain her sense till her death was declared, allegedly due to brain death. If so, whether it was possible for high flow of carbon dioxide in the process of anaesthesia.The THRC said, the expert opinion as well as other evidences should be collected to see whether it was at all called for keeping of the patient under ICU ventilation for such a long time, which suggests she might have suffered brain death and whether that information was specifically and clearly explained to the patient party or not.
“A young woman is lost but we are not awarding any compensation since no one has approached the Commission seeking any compensation. We leave it to the wisdom of the appropriate authority after investigation: said the THRC.
