Latest news with #SHRC
The Hindu
12 hours ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Stillborn case: SHRC recommends compensation, filling of vacancies with medical staff
Flagging the shortage of staff in hospitals, the State Human Rights Commission on Monday observed the continuing delay in filling vacant posts and the non-creation of new posts were creating a crisis in the Tamil Nadu health sector. It further mentioned it was receiving complaints throughout the State regarding 'medical negligence' of doctors and hospital staff while treating the patients. 'More than 4,000 rural health nurse vacancies remain unfilled in 8,488 sub-health centres in Tamil Nadu. With 50% of the posts lying vacant, the workload of the rural health nurses in service has increased drastically,' SHRC member V. Kannadasan observed in an order. The Commission recommended the State government to pay a compensation of ₹5 lakh to a pregnant woman's kin who was reportedly forced to clean up her blood before boarding an ambulance. Even as it appreciated various programmes of the State government, the Commission observed: 'Due to the shortage of doctors and nurses in government hospitals in various districts including Villupuram, there is a delay in providing immediate treatment to patients. Activists also criticise that there is only one doctor in many primary health centers. An environment has also emerged where government doctors are psychologically affected due to low salaries and high workload.' The Commission recommended the State government to take necessary steps to appoint more doctors, nurses and other medical staff, especially in Primary Health Centers in the village level round the clock throughout the State. It also recommended necessary steps to provide more ambulance services to give special attention to pregnant women to reach hospitals in time. The Commission also appreciated the efforts taken by the Tamil Nadu government on its achievement projects throughout the State and recalled the introduction of various flagship schemes for maternal and child health and control of infectious diseases. It also appreciated the Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme and the Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam scheme. 'The government of Tamil Nadu is taking various steps to reduce maternal mortality. However, the target of reducing maternal mortality can be achieved only if there are sufficient numbers of obstetricians in hospitals,' the Commission said. The restrictions in the Chief Minister's Insurance Scheme should be removed, it said. Action should be taken on complaints that some private hospitals participating in the scheme are using the entire insurance amount and charging additional fees for it, it said. The Commission made these observations while dealing with a complaint from one K. Devamani. Her pregnant daughter K. Subulakshmi was admitted to Murugeri Primary Health Centre on April 26, 2021. While the 108 ambulance arrived to take her, auxiliary nurse midwife Prabhavathi from the PHC shouted at her and demanded that she cleaned up her blood from the bed before leaving. The ANM did not allow it even after the ambulance staff insisted that the patient was to be shifted out at once. Due to the delay, they were not able to reach the Government Medical College Hospital at Mundiyambakkam on time and the foetus did not survive. The patient also contracted COVID-19 infection. The complainant alleged inhumane actions on the part of government employees and further sought for an investigation into the incident. During the hearing, the Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine submitted a detailed report. It said the ANM had to attend to two patients simultaneously, one of them injured in an accident. It was submitted that the patient's attender was not forced to clean up the blood. Considering the oral and documentary evidence of the parties and also findings given in the enquiry report, the Commission said it was categorically established that the patient's had a stillborn due to inordinate delay in the Primary Health Centre where the patient and attender were asked to clean up the blood before boarding the ambulance.
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Dialogue addresses pressing labour issues
The Sindh Human Rights Commission (SHRC) in collaboration with the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES) convened civil dialogue to address pressing labour issues and advocate for the implementation of Business and Human Rights (BHR) principles in line with international standards. In his address, SHRC Chairperson Iqbal Detho underscored the commission's statutory role in safeguarding human rights across Sindh. He stressed the urgent need to integrate BHR frameworks into provincial policies, saying that "robust legal structures and effective institutional coordination at the district level are essential to protect marginalised and vulnerable workers." Stakeholders, including labour union leaders, civil society activists, local officials, and representatives of the media, participated in the dialogue. They highlighted challenges confronting the local workforce, particularly in Sanghar, a district known for its cotton production and energy resources. Key concerns included meagre wages, hazardous working conditions, and a lack of social security for women employed in agricultural and domestic work. Speaking on behalf of FES, Abdullah Dayo stressed the importance of promoting responsible business practices and formalising employment relationships. "Ensuring minimum wage compliance, EOBI registration, and third-party monitoring are critical steps toward preserving the dignity of workers in districts like Sanghar," he said. Sanghar Deputy Commissioner Sarah Javed reaffirmed the district administration's commitment to a rights-based approach to development. SSP Abid Hussain also lauded SHRC's efforts and highlighted the need for urgent attention to broader human rights concerns such as forced conversions and child marriage. Labour leaders from Sinjhoro drew attention to stagnant wages, the denial of inflation-adjusted bonuses, and the absence of basic healthcare facilities for workers.
The Hindu
19-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
‘Systemic negligence in Tribal Welfare department', HRC directs immediate disbursement of wages to hostel workers
The State Human Rights Commission on Saturday held that administrative delay and failure to pay wages to post-metric hostel workers and daily wagers in the Tribal Welfare department amounts to systemic negligence and breach of public trust. Disposing of the case filed by workers' union leader B. Madhu, Chairperson Justice Shameem Akther recommended immediate disbursement of pending wages and initiation of disciplinary proceedings against the erring officials in the department. The Chief Secretary was directed to report compliance within two months. The SHRC noted that salaries denied to hostel workers and daily wage employees in the Tribal Welfare department for 39 months and 10 months respectively, constitutes a gross violation of human rights and an affront to the right to livelihood under Article 21 of the Constitution.
Time of India
18-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
2014 vaccine negligence: 16 patients given expired Hepatitis-B shots in Telangana; SHRC seeks action
HYDERABAD: The Telangana State Human Rights Commission (TSHRC) has directed Gandhi Hospital to initiate action against a doctor for "administering expired Hepatitis-B vaccines to 16 patients" back in 2014. The incident occurred when complainants were admitted to the hospital's Anti-Retroviral Therapy unit for treatment. In their complaint to the SHRC, the aggrieved patients alleged that medical practitoner Dr V Tara Devi had "deliberately administered expired Hepatitis-B vaccines to them". Post vaccination, they experienced dizziness, stomach pain, body aches, and mental stress. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad Even as hospital mainatained that no harm was caused due to vaccine and that the doctor was relieved from duty, the commission observed that the act amounted to gross negligence. They asked the govt to pay compensation of 1.25 lakh and initiate disciplinary proceedings against the doctor. The SRHC held the manufacturer and dealer accountable for not providing proper warning labels on packaging and supplying vaccine without checking the expiry date. The state govt is yet to respond to SHRC's order.
Time of India
12-07-2025
- Time of India
Panchayat told to compensate accident victim
T'puram: State human rights commission (SHRC) has ordered a compensation of Rs 22,500 to a woman who suffered injuries after the two-wheeler she was on slipped on building material left carelessly by roadside. SHRC chairperson Justice Alexander Thomas directed Tholikode grama panchayat to pay the compensation to the petitioner. The order states that if the compensation was not paid within two months, an interest of 8% would be applicable. After payment, secretary of Tholikode grama panchayat must submit an action report. The order also states that the panchayat has the freedom to recover the compensation from parties responsible, as per the law, after paying it. Petitioner Smitha Bhaskar, a resident of Nedumangad, was seriously injured after her two-wheeler slipped on metal near Mylamoodu on May 9, 2023. Consequently, her husband, a Navy officer in Kochi, had to take leave to care for her. The petitioner approached the commission demanding compensation of Rs 1,50,000. The order to pay compensation was based on the investigation report submitted by commission chief investigation officer. The commission found that the material brought for panchayat road work was left on the road illegally. SHRC did not accept panchayat secretary's argument that the contractor for the roadwork did not obtain permission from them to place the metal. SHRC stated in the order that the panchayat failed to take precautions to prevent accidents.
