NHRC asks Goa govt to train staff in state-run hospitals

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has asked the Goa government to train its staff in state-run hospitals as per the Medical Health Act.

This comes after a show cause notice issued last month to state chief secretary Sanjay Srivastava, pointing out a case where the patient died after being ill-handled by government-run hospital staff.

The commission has said that the hospitals have insufficient staff and existing staff should be trained under Medical Health Act on the aspects like handling patients.

The notice states that there should be additional staff but it should not violate human rights of the patients.

NHRC has asked Srivastva to show-cause why monetary relief should not be given to Fransic D'Cruz, a patient who suffered fatal injuries in Goa government-run Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour (IPHB) and later died in another state-run hospital, Goa Medical Hospital here.

NHRC has acted under Section 18 of protection of Human Rights Act, 1980.

The state government responding to the notice today asked the NHRC to drop the show cause notice assuring to take
corrective steps.

D'Cruz, an employee with a five star resort, was admitted to IPHB by Vasco police on December 9, 2007. During the treatment, the patient reportedly got violent, went out of control, and later hit the table when staff could not handle him. He later died within a short span at Goa Medical College and Hospital while undergoing treatment.