The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India on Thursday issued notice to the Maharashtra government over the death of a large number of patients in two state-run hospitals within 24 hours.
Taking suo motu cognisance of a media report published on October 4, the Commission issued notice to the Chief Secretary, Government of Maharashtra, calling for a detailed report in the matter within four weeks.
The rights body directed the State of Maharashtra to include in its report, the status of infrastructure along with the requisite and present strength of doctors, nurses and other staff in government-run hospitals at Nanded and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, along with the status of medicines and diagnostic facilities available for the patients.
The Commission further directed the Maharashtra Chief Secretary to inform about the action taken against the public servants responsible for the incident as well as the status of relief and rehabilitation provided to the aggrieved families.
It sought details on steps taken or proposed to be taken by the state government to ensure that such unfortunate deaths did not recur in the future.
The rights body also asked its Special Rapporteur, P.N. Dixit, to visit the two state-run hospitals in Nanded and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar and submit a comprehensive report within eight weeks.
Dixit was directed to inspect wards, toilets and premises of the hospitals to identify shortcomings in hygiene, safe and clean environment, besides taking stock of medicines, oxygen and medical facilities, including the strength of doctors and nurses.
He was asked to identify the causes and reasons for such a large number of deaths of newborn babies and others, besides suggesting remedial measures for the same.