Rajasthan hospitals under scrutiny after eight women, one child die post-surgery

Prelims-testable facts

• 01The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report regarding the deaths of eight women and a minor after undergoing surgery in government hospitals in Rajasthan.
• 02A total of nine patients, including eight women and a minor, died after undergoing surgery in obstetrics and gynaecology departments at government hospitals in Bhilwara and Banswara districts of Rajasthan.
• 03The deaths occurred within a week after the surgeries, prompting an investigation into the causes of the fatalities.
• 04The NHRC has issued a notice to the Chief Secretary, Government of Rajasthan, calling for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks.
• 05An investigation is underway in Bhilwara and Banswara districts to determine the causes of the deaths and potential lapses in patient care.
• 06A total of five patients died at Mahatma Gandhi Hospital in Bhilwara district, while three patients including a minor died at Banswara district hospital.
• 07The NHRC has observed that the contents of the news report, if true, raise serious issues of violation of human rights.

Trap alerts

• Most people think that NHRC takes suo motu cognizance only in cases of major crimes or constitutional violations, but actually it can take cognizance of any matter that raises serious issues of human rights.
• Most people think that the NHRC has no power to investigate or punish individuals, but actually it can issue notices and direct states to investigate and report on matters within its jurisdiction.