From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Nov 4: Apparently embarrassed by the inhuman behavior of the duty doctor of Tumkur government hospital for refusing to admission and delivery of a pregnant woman leading to death and her new born twins last night for want of Aadhar card, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr K Sudhakar has promised to bring a new law in the next session to fix accountability and punish the doctors and staff of government hospitals for misbehaving with patients.
“Saving lives and treating patients who require urgent medical attention is of paramount importance than production of documents,’’ he said speaking to media persons in Bengaluru on Friday.
“If the doctors and staff in government hospitals misbehave with people, they will be terminated from service,’’ he warned.
The minister said: “I will speak to Chief Minister in this regard and if need be we will bring necessary amendments to laws in the next session of the assembly.’’
Dr Sudhakar said the girl who has now lost her mother has been admitted to orphanage home. A fixed deposit of Rs.5 lakh has been made in the girl's name from the government. The Government will also take care of her education.
District surgeon, doctors and other staff who are found to be responsible for this have been issued showcase notice and have been asked to respond within 24 hours, the minister said.
The minister said incidents like these must never repeat again and it is a shame on the medical profession.
“In cases of emergency, hospitals should not insist on documents. Documents can be collected after the attending the emergency,’’ he said.
There are about 76 notified emergency services and instructions are already in place to not deny or delay treatment in such cases.
In case treatment is not available in government hospitals people can avail it in private hospitals also and the government will bear the cost, he said.
Unfortunate incident
“Incidents like these are unacceptable and it is a blot on humanity. I express my sincere regret and I feel extremely sorry for the woman and the two newborns who left this world even before they could see it,’’ Dr Sudhakar said.
The minister said the police department has been trying to trace the family of the woman since last 36 bhours. If the family is not identified government will take complete responsibility in this case.
"Irrespective of which State the woman belongs to, she should have been treated at the hospital on humanitarian grounds. This incident has indeed created a mistrust on the entire public health system,’’ he said expressing his disappointment at the lack of emphathy.
Open Challenge to Siddaramaiah
Responding to Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah's comments demanding his resignation owning moral responsibility, Dr Sudhakar said, "I can produce records regarding number of infant deaths that happened in Mysuru when Siddaramaiah was Chief Minister. Siddaramaiah neither resigned nor sought his Health Minister's resignation. If he can stoop so low to politicise a death, he is not just unfit to become a leader but also unfit to be called even a human being. Such incidents should not be politicized.’’
“I will produce documents on the number of deaths happened in government hospitals during Siddaramaiah's tenure. If Siddaramaiah is ready to resign as Leader of Opposition then I will step down as Health Minister,’’ challenged Dr Sudhakar.