Shillong, Feb 10: The health department will pay Rs 3 lakh as compensation to a woman who lost her new-born baby after Ganesh Das hospital denied admission.
This was following the recommendation of the Meghalaya Human Rights Commission (MHRC),
The MHRC had taken suo motu case based on media reports in this regard.
According to a letter issued on February 4, the health department has agreed to pay the compensation of Rs 3 lakh to the victim.
The victim was later called by the hospital authorities following the intervention of an NGO.
In it’s order passed on July 30, 2020, the commission had asked the chief secretary for an inquiry into issue and to submit the report within 30 days.
After getting the report, the commission called for evidence from the victim and witnesses on March 11, 2021.
The medical superintendent of Ganesh Das hospital and the witnesses were called for evidence on April 19, 2021 and the medical superintendent (retd) on April 27, 2021.
After evidence, cross examination was also conducted by both the parties and the MHRC.
Examining the matter from all angles, including the trauma and mental agony suffered by the mother and the damage caused to the victim by losing her child, the full bench of the Commission comprising chairperson Justice (retd) T Vaiphei and two members – B Giri and PJP Hanaman passed an order on November 1, 2021.
The commission recommended a compensation of Rs 3 lakh and observed that the state government should give due consideration to the recommendations and should not drive the victim elsewhere to ventilate her grievance by engaging a counsel at huge litigation costs and expenses which she could ill-afford.
