Allahabad High Court Takes Stern Action Over Fatal Medical Error
The Allahabad High Court has issued a landmark directive to the Uttar Pradesh government, mandating the formation of a high-level committee to investigate and prevent incidents of medical negligence. This decisive order comes in response to a tragic case where a woman patient died at Prayagraj's Swaroop Rani Hospital last year due to a wrongful blood transfusion.
Court's Stern Observations on Constitutional Rights
A division bench comprising Justice Atul Sreedharan and Justice Siddharth Nandan delivered this significant ruling on February 2, 2024, while hearing a petition filed by Saurabh Singh, the son of the deceased woman. The court emphasized that the Right to Life, enshrined in Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, imposes a constitutional obligation on the state and its functionaries to ensure this fundamental right remains inviolable.
The bench explicitly noted that the principal of Moti Lal Nehru Medical College, with which SRN Hospital is associated, bears the duty to protect patients' rights. The court stated that the admitted incident "clearly reflected a failure of that duty," taking a stern view of the systemic lapses that led to the fatal error.
Admission of Critical Medical Error
During court proceedings, the Additional Advocate General representing the Uttar Pradesh government admitted to a grave medical mistake. While the deceased patient had 'O' Positive blood type, hospital staff administered 'AB' Positive blood instead. This critical error led to severe post-operative complications that ultimately resulted in the woman's death.
The high court noted that medical documents presented during the hearing prima facie indicated that subsequent treatment provided to the patient appeared to be merely an attempt to "offset/counter the ill effects of the transfusion of wrong blood group." Since the hospital did not dispute that the wrong blood transfusion caused the death, the court observed it did not need to adjudicate separately on the issue of negligence.
Comprehensive Committee Formation Ordered
To prevent recurrence of such tragic incidents, the court directed the newly impleaded Director General of Medical Education (DGME) of Uttar Pradesh, who is the sixth respondent in the case, to instruct hospital administration to constitute a specialized committee. This committee will be chaired by the principal of Moti Lal Nehru Medical College and will include members from different medical departments.
The court outlined specific responsibilities for this committee, including:
- Collecting comprehensive data on hospital procedures and protocols
- Developing recommendations for improving overall functioning of the medical college
- Ensuring adequate facilities and mechanisms exist to prevent similar incidents
- Submitting a detailed report within five weeks outlining necessary "infrastructural or procedural directives"
Systemic Reforms and Accountability Measures
The court further clarified that the Director General of Medical Education bears the obligation to provide all necessary assistance—both financial and administrative—to implement recommended safety measures. Additionally, the principal of Moti Lal Nehru Medical College has been directed to file a personal affidavit bringing on record both the committee's report and the DGME's response.
The bench has also sought assistance from the Additional Advocate General and the petitioner's counsel regarding the parameters within which a constitutional court can grant compensation in such cases of medical negligence resulting in loss of life.
The matter has been scheduled for further hearing on March 23, 2026, allowing sufficient time for the committee to conduct its investigation and propose concrete reforms. This case highlights the judiciary's proactive role in ensuring accountability within India's healthcare system and protecting citizens' fundamental rights to safe medical treatment.
