‘LYSED’ BLOOD
Maternal deaths: Doctors not to face criminal action
Probe To Find Cause Of Death
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Chennai:28.03.2019
No criminal complaints would be filed against doctors, staff nurses or lab technicians for negligence that led to maternal deaths in Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri and Hosur hospitals until their role is proved without doubt in a departmental inquiry, health department officials have said.
While the Tamil Nadu Government Doctors Association was lobbying with the media to contain damage, the State Human Rights Commission has called for reports from the health department within two weeks. Taking suo motu cognizance of the deaths, the commission has asked the state health secretary, directors of medical services and medical education and Tamil Nadu State Aids control project director to submit a report in two weeks. “In the event of default, the commission may take suitable action as it may deem fit,” a notice said.
On Monday, officials in the health department told TOI that after audits showed 15 maternal deaths due to ‘lysed blood transfusion’ in four months, state health secretary Beela Rajesh ordered two directors of the health department to lodge criminal cases, conduct departmental inquiry and lodge complaints with the medical council.
However, on Wednesday, officials said audits showed seven maternal deaths, and probe will be ordered to ascertain the cause of death in each of these cases. Officials have also been asked to check for adverse blood reactions in other surgical and trauma cases. “Only after a detailed departmental inquiry we would be able to lodge criminal complaints with police or with the state medical council for cancellation of medical licences of doctors,” said director of medical education Dr A Edwin Joe. “At present, we don’t have adequate evidence. Also, we will have to give the doctors a chance to explain their situation. If they are found guilty, we will frame charges that may stymie promotions and increments. We will be able to dismiss them and file criminal charges only if we find wilful neglect,” he said.
The Tamil Nadu Government Doctors Association issued press releases urging the media to show restraint. “The incidence of severe reaction to blood transfusion is at least 0.5%. In a large hospital like Dharmapuri, the incidence was not higher than international standards,” said state president Dr K Senthil. Doctors also argued that the government did not test samples of blood issued to call them lysed and said post-mortem evidence too wasn’t conclusive. “Blood reactions aren’t always because of lysed blood,” he said. Legal experts, however, expressed disappointment over the government’s stand. “The state must initiate criminal proceedings against the doctors as they now know that the blood bags were poorly maintained and care was compromised leading to death. Without much delay, a case should be filed under culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Departmental inquiry can be conducted simultaneously,” said former additional solicitor general P Wilson.
Maternal deaths: Doctors not to face criminal action
Probe To Find Cause Of Death
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Chennai:28.03.2019
No criminal complaints would be filed against doctors, staff nurses or lab technicians for negligence that led to maternal deaths in Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri and Hosur hospitals until their role is proved without doubt in a departmental inquiry, health department officials have said.
While the Tamil Nadu Government Doctors Association was lobbying with the media to contain damage, the State Human Rights Commission has called for reports from the health department within two weeks. Taking suo motu cognizance of the deaths, the commission has asked the state health secretary, directors of medical services and medical education and Tamil Nadu State Aids control project director to submit a report in two weeks. “In the event of default, the commission may take suitable action as it may deem fit,” a notice said.
On Monday, officials in the health department told TOI that after audits showed 15 maternal deaths due to ‘lysed blood transfusion’ in four months, state health secretary Beela Rajesh ordered two directors of the health department to lodge criminal cases, conduct departmental inquiry and lodge complaints with the medical council.
However, on Wednesday, officials said audits showed seven maternal deaths, and probe will be ordered to ascertain the cause of death in each of these cases. Officials have also been asked to check for adverse blood reactions in other surgical and trauma cases. “Only after a detailed departmental inquiry we would be able to lodge criminal complaints with police or with the state medical council for cancellation of medical licences of doctors,” said director of medical education Dr A Edwin Joe. “At present, we don’t have adequate evidence. Also, we will have to give the doctors a chance to explain their situation. If they are found guilty, we will frame charges that may stymie promotions and increments. We will be able to dismiss them and file criminal charges only if we find wilful neglect,” he said.
The Tamil Nadu Government Doctors Association issued press releases urging the media to show restraint. “The incidence of severe reaction to blood transfusion is at least 0.5%. In a large hospital like Dharmapuri, the incidence was not higher than international standards,” said state president Dr K Senthil. Doctors also argued that the government did not test samples of blood issued to call them lysed and said post-mortem evidence too wasn’t conclusive. “Blood reactions aren’t always because of lysed blood,” he said. Legal experts, however, expressed disappointment over the government’s stand. “The state must initiate criminal proceedings against the doctors as they now know that the blood bags were poorly maintained and care was compromised leading to death. Without much delay, a case should be filed under culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Departmental inquiry can be conducted simultaneously,” said former additional solicitor general P Wilson.
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