NHRC notice to MP govt over pathetic health facilities in Damoh dist

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report about the pathetic health care facilities in Damoh district in Madhya Pradesh and noted that when even the Collector of the district finds himself helpless, the plight of ordinary people can be very well imagined. It has issued a notice to the Principal Secretary, Department of Public Health and Family Welfare, Madhya Pradesh government, calling for a report in the matter within four weeks.

The NHRC  has observed that is the prime duty of the state to provide medical facilities to everyone.  The matter requires special attention of the state government, it said.

According to the media report carried on July 19,  2016, out of 68 sanctioned posts of senior doctors in the District Hospital, only 16 are filled. It does not have ICU facilities and ends up referring patients to Jabalpur Medical College or Sagar, which are over 100 Km and 75 Km away respectively. The patients are usually told that there are no ambulances and many end up covering the long distance on their own.  The District Collector found himself helpless and lost his ailing mother on june 11, 2016, as a lot of precious time was wasted in carrying her to Jabalpur.  He reportedly said, “The system is faulty and I am as much responsible for it as others.”

There are not many private hospitals in Damoh.   The District Hospital does not have an Anesthetist, Eye specialist, Orthopedician or an ENT specialist.