NHRC intervention ensures initiation of disciplinary proceedings against a doctor whose negligence led to the death of a pregnant woman at a Government Hospital in Murshidabad, West Bengal

New Delhi, 18th August, 2022

The intervention by the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, India, in a case of death of a pregnant woman due to medical negligence, has resulted in the Government of West Bengal paying Rs. 3,75,000/- as monetary relief to her Next of the Kin. The State Medical Council has been asked to take disciplinary action against the negligent doctor. The incident had happened at Lalbagh Sub-Divisional Hospital, Murshidabad, West Bengal on 8th February, 2020.

The Commission had registered a case on the basis of a complaint. In response to the notices of the Commission, the Department of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of West Bengal informed that an Enquiry Committee found that as per the death certificate, the patient had died due to heart failure.

It was also found during enquiry that the doctor who was on duty was not present in the hospital and instead gave instructions over phone to the nurses. He attended the patient after delay of five hours.

The State government has also informed that the departmental inquiry has been initiated against the doctor. A copy of the Enquiry Committee report has also been sent to the West Bengal Medical Council for disciplinary action against him.

The Commission observed that the State is vicariously responsible for the said negligence of the doctor and recommended the monetary relief.

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