CCTVs to rescue menace of Govt doctors' dual professional misconduct
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, October 30 2015 : The High Court of Manipur has issued a direction on putting an end to the "menace of engaging/employing" Government doctors by various private hospitals and nursing homes in the State by imposing the installation of CCTVs in Operation Theatres and OPD premises of all private hospitals and nursing homes.

According to a press note issued by Human Rights Law Network, on May 29 last, while hearing a PIL filed by one Thangjam Ongbi Bilabati Devi, a Division Bench of the High Court of Manipur comprising of Justice Laxmi Kanta Mohapatra and Justice Kh Nobin Singh had asked the Government of Manipur to consider its suggestion of installing CCTVs in the Operation Theatres (OTs) and OPD premises of all private hospitals and nursing homes and the footage whereof be recorded and placed before the Government.

Consequently, on Friday, during a hearing of the PIL, the learned Advocate General, Manipur produced a copy of memorandum dated October 22 last issued by the Director, Health Services, Manipur directing all private hospitals and nursing homes to install CCTVs in OTs and OPD premises within thirty days at their own cost.

The High Court after considering the submission of the Advocate General, has directed him to inform the Court as to whether the order passed by the Director, Health Services has been complied with or not when the matter is listed after six weeks.

Mention may be made that the PIL was filed by Thangjam Ongbi Bilabati Devi of Uripok Tourangbam Leikai, after her son died at RIMS hospital on November 30, 2012.Her son was earlier admitted at the CMC Hospital Koirengei, a private hospital for undergoing a surgical operation, wherein, a doctor who was then serving as Medical Officer at Thoubal District Hospital at that time had given anaesthesia and thereafter her son started experiencing sudden cardiac arrest.

As her son's health became deteriorated, he was shifted to RIMS and he died there.

In order to prevent recurrence of engaging government doctors by private hospitals, to punish those government doctors and private hospitals, she filed the PIL on February 21, 2015.Meihoubam Rakesh, advocate appeared on behalf of the petitioner and Thokchom Ibohal Singh, Advocate General appeared on behalf of the State of Manipur.

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