Rights body balm on blinds

Tathya.in, Feb 14, 2009
Bhubaneswar:14/February/2009

Prabir Kumar Das has done it again.

The leading human rights activist and practicing advocate in the Orissa High Court has brought cheers for the poor and blind tribals of Kalahandi.

Mr.Das brought the plight of the victims to the notice of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

And NHRC has rightly asked the Government of Orissa to pay Rs. 1 lakh each to 13 persons, who lost their eyes in a cataract operation.

Except one, all other 13 persons had lost their eyes due to the alleged ‘negligence’ of the doctors

Persons who lost their eyes due to faulty operation were Sundari Majhi, Kunti Majhi, Hase Majhi, Basanti Majhi, Jagannath Majhi, Jilma Rana, Hanu Rana, Kamala Majhi, Kaikeyi Rana, Ratani Majhi, Sreya Panda, Muna Jagat and Madhu Rout.

This is because of the negligence of the doctors and denial of post operation care by the authorities concerned, alleged Mr.Das.

They were operated in the District Headquarters Hospital at Bhawanipatna on 22 January, 2007.

The NHRC took the decision as it did not receive reply from the State Government on its show cause notice.

NHRC asked the Government as to why appropriate compensation shall not be recommended to be paid under section of PHR Act to the hapless victims.

As usual the Orissa Government seek two months time and as no reply is forthcoming since last three and a half months it is presumed that the State of Orissa has no defence to offer to the show cause notice.

The State of Orissa is directed to pay monetary relief of Rs.1,00,000 to each of the affected patient, directed NHRC.

The NHRC also directed the State Government to file Compliance Report on the Departmental Proceedings against Bharat Bandhu Panda, Additional Chief Medical Officer.

After the incident reported widely in the media, the State Government drew Departmental Proceedings against Dr.Panda and remained cool over the issue.

And the State Government never bothered about the hapless victims, who were above 60 years of age.

With the Good Samaritan Mr.Das taking up the cause of the surgery victims, NHRC took the right decision, said a social activist.

Mr.Prabir Kumar Das is available at: 276, Suka Vihar, Post: Bhoinagar, Bhubaneswar – 751022 (Orissa)

Mobile No: 093382 31592