The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken a stern stance on a tragic incident in Jharkhand, directing the state administration to conduct a thorough inquiry into the death of a pregnant woman and her unborn child in Gumla district. The commission has demanded an action taken report within two weeks.
A Tragic Incident in a Remote Village
The case pertains to the death of Sukri Kumari, a 19-year-old resident of Jhalakapat village, who lost her life along with her unborn child on December 14. The deaths are alleged to be a direct result of delayed and inaccessible medical care, highlighting critical gaps in healthcare infrastructure in remote tribal regions.
In a formal communication addressed to the additional chief secretary of health and family welfare and the deputy commissioner of Gumla, the NHRC stated that its bench, presided over by Priyank Kanungo, has taken cognizance of the matter. The commission's registry has been directed to issue notices to the chief secretary of health and family welfare and the Gumla DC, instructing them to investigate the allegations and submit a detailed report.
Allegations of Critical Delays and Infrastructure Failure
The complaint filed with the NHRC paints a harrowing picture of the circumstances leading to the tragedy. It is alleged that due to a complete lack of basic road connectivity, the young woman in labour had to be carried on a makeshift stretcher for approximately one and a half kilometres just to reach the main road.
This initial hurdle caused a crucial loss of time. The complainant further stated that she was first taken to a primary health centre, from where she was referred to the Gumla district hospital. This chain of referrals, compounded by the initial transportation struggle, led to a critical and fatal delay in receiving proper medical treatment.
A Question of Fundamental Rights and Administrative Accountability
The complaint strongly argues that this incident exposes severe deficiencies in healthcare delivery infrastructure and points towards administrative insensitivity in the remote tribal areas of the state. It underscores that such failures constitute a serious violation of the fundamental right to life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.
The NHRC's intervention underscores the gravity of the issue and places the onus on the state administration to not only investigate this specific case but also to address the systemic problems it reveals. The directive for a report within a fortnight indicates the commission's urgency in seeking accountability and corrective measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
