<p align="justify">NHRC asks Delhi Government to pay Rs.4 lakh monetary relief in a case of death due to wrong blood transfusion

New Delhi, 8th July, 2013

The National Human Rights Commission has recommended the Delhi Government through its Chief Secretary to pay Rs.4 lakh as monetary relief to the next of kin of Smt. Priya, who died when wrong group of blood was transfused to her due to negligence of a technician in the blood laboratory of the Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital, Delhi. The Commission has also asked for the proof of payment.

The Commission took cognizance of the issue on the basis of a media report forwarded by a human rights activist. As per the report, Smt. Priya was admitted in the Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital on 12th November, 2011 with labour pain. She was 40 weeks pregnant. As she was anaemic, 2 units of blood was to be transfused to her. However, after transfusion of blood, she gave birth to a dead child. Thereafter, she also collapsed and died.

In response to the NHRC notice, the Medical Superintendent of the Hospital admitted in his report that wrong blood had been issued to the patient by the laboratory technician. He also admitted that on the receiving the blood, the patient had reaction in the form of chills, which required emergency support assistance to her. The report concluded that transfusion reaction could not be ruled out.

Subsequently, replying to the Commission’s show cause notice as to why the monetary relief should not be given, the Special Secretary, Health & Family Welfare, Government of Delhi, said that the Hospital administration had taken a serious view of the matter and took the most stringent action possible against the said official by removing him from service.

The Commission has observed that a precious life was lost due to negligence of the technician posted in the blood bank. Therefore, the State must bear the vicarious liability and recommended the monetary relief.

*****