NHRC notice to the Chief Secretary, Government of Maharashtra over the reported deaths of several patients at two state-run hospitals in Naded and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar

Press Release

National Human Rights Commission

New Delhi, 5th October, 2023

NHRC notice to the Chief Secretary, Government of Maharashtra over the reported deaths of several patients at two state-run hospitals in Naded and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar

Response expected within four weeks

The Commission also deputes its Special Rapporteur to visit the hospitals, find causes and suggest remedial measures

The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, India has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report, carried on 4th October, 2023, that a large number of patients died in two state-run hospitals in Nanded and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar districts of Maharashtra within twenty-four hours. As per the news report, the patients have allegedly died in these hospitals due to a lack of medical help and a shortage of essential medicines.

The Commission has observed that the contents of the media report, if true, amount to a violation of human rights relating to the life and health of the victims due to negligence by public authorities, which is a matter of concern. Accordingly, a notice has been issued to the Chief Secretary, Government of Maharashtra calling for a detailed report in the matter within four weeks. It should include the status of the infrastructure along with the requisite and present strength of doctors, nurses and other staff in the government-run hospitals as well as the status of the medicines and diagnostic facilities available for the patients.

The Commission has also asked the state government, through its Chief Secretary, to inform about the action taken against the responsible public servants as well as the status of the relief and rehabilitation provided to the aggrieved families. The Commission would also like to know about the steps taken or proposed by the State Government to ensure that such unfortunate deaths do not recur in the future.

Besides this, the Commission has asked its Special Rapporteur, Shri P.N. Dixit to visit the two state-run hospitals in Nanded and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar where these deaths have been reported. He is expected to identify the causes and reasons for such a large number of deaths of newborn babies and others. He will 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 and suggest remedial measures in a comprehensive report within eight weeks.

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