HRI pleads NHRC on RIMS impasse
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 24 2016:
he Human
Rights Initiative (HRI) has
sought immediate attention of
the National Human Rights
Commission (NHRC) to the
closure of OPD section of
RIMS following suspension of
a doctor in connection with the
death of a woman during
delivery at the hospital.
The HRI dispatched a
complaint letter addressed to
the NHRC Chairperson on
July 22 and it gave an ac-
count of the death of one Th
Kheroda after delivery, insti-
tution of an enquiry,
suspension of a doctor and
agitation by doctors which led
to suspension of the OPD
section.
On July 5, a patient
namely Th Kheroda Devi w/
o Th Somendro of Khurai
Kongpal Sajor Leikai, Imphal
East passed away after a nor-
mal delivery at RIMS
Hospital.
It was reported that the
woman died due to the neg-
ligence and loopholes of
doctors who were involved
in the said delivery.
On July 6, an inquiry
committee comprising four
senior doctors of the hospital
was notified by the RIMS
authority to ascertain the facts
and circumstances of the
death of the woman after
minute discussion with RIMS
authority and the JAC consti-
tuted in connection with the
controversial death of the
woman.
On July 8, a preliminary
report of the inquiry commit-
tee was submitted to the
Director, RIMS, Imphal and
thereafter a doctor namely Dr
L Trinity Meetei was sus-
pended.
On July 12, it was re-
ported in local newspapers
that Prof Dr L Ranjit Singh,
HOD, Gynaecology Depart-
ment, RIMS, who is also a
member
of the inquiry committee and president of a doctors' group namely
Imphal Obstetric and Gynaecological Society Manipur decried the
suspension of Dr L Trinity.
In the said news report, Dr L Ranjit threatened the RIMS
Authority that they would be launching agitation if the author-
ity does not revoke the suspension of Dr L Trinity Meetei.
The OPD section was shut down by the Teachers and
Medical Officers Association from July 21 to 23.The very act
of Prof Dr L Ranjit Singh and his team amounted to abetment/
instigation of the doctors for the illegal agitation, remarked the
HRI's letter.
However no action has been taken up against those doctors
who launched an illegal and unethical agitation.
As a result,
the rights to health of the innocent patients including many
belonging to poor and rural areas have been deprived.
Yet no
satisfactory action has been taken up in this connection by the
Director, RIMS till date.
It further alleged that there is no separate open counter for
providing basic medicines to the patients and as such, there is
lack of transparency in buying medicines and equal rights of
the patients.
Further, the Doctors have failed to issue prescriptions of
medicines in generic names in accordance with the provisions
of para 1:5 of the Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics
Regulations, 2002 laid down by the MCI.
The HRI then appealed to the NHRC to inquire into the
matter and pass an appropriate order so as to enable the
citizens of North East India to enjoy their right to health at
RIMS and also to punish the errant officers who were in-
volved in the death of Th Kheroda Devi and leading to the
shut down of RIMS OPD for three days unnecessarily.