HHRC Initiates Suo Motu Inquiry After Newborn Dies Due to Ventilator Shortage
The Haryana Human Rights Commission (HHRC) has initiated a suo motu inquiry into the death of a newborn who died on July 2 after his family allegedly struggled to find ventilator support across hospitals in Hisar and Rohtak. The Commission has issued notices to the state government and district authorities, demanding a detailed report within two weeks.
NHRC Had Already Sought Report on July 6
Earlier, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) had issued a notice to the Chief Secretary of Haryana on July 6, directing the state government to submit a detailed report on the incident within two weeks. The HHRC's intervention adds further pressure on the health administration to address systemic gaps in neonatal care infrastructure.
HHRC Bench Directs Health Secretary to Submit Policy Report
The HHRC Bench, comprising Chairperson Justice Lalit Batra, Judicial Member Kuldip Jain, and member Deep Bhatia, has directed the Additional Chief Secretary (Health) to submit a report on the existing policy governing emergency neonatal referrals and inter-hospital coordination. The report must also detail the district-wise availability of Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) and neonatal ventilators in government hospitals, as well as measures taken after the incident to strengthen emergency neonatal care and prevent similar occurrences.
DG Health Services Asked to Furnish Ventilator Data
The Commission has directed the Director General, Health Services, to provide details on the total number of ventilators, including neonatal ventilators, in government hospitals, their functional status, equipment lying unused, under repair, or non-functional—including ventilators supplied during the Covid-19 pandemic. Additionally, the Commission has asked whether any state-level audit of critical care equipment has been conducted in the past two years.
Hisar Civil Hospital Has Only One Neonatal Ventilator
According to information placed before the Commission, Hisar Civil Hospital has only one neonatal ventilator in its NICU. Of nearly 40 other ventilators meant for the ICU, around 25 were reportedly lying unused in storage, while about 13 had become non-functional due to technical defects. This stark shortage highlights the critical gaps in neonatal care infrastructure in the region.
PGIMS Rohtak Asked to Explain Treatment and Ventilator Availability
The Commission has directed the Director of Pt BD Sharma PGIMS, Rohtak, to explain the treatment provided to the newborn, the reasons for the non-availability of ventilator support, the occupancy status of NICU beds and ventilators at the relevant time, and whether any alternative arrangements or inter-hospital coordination were attempted.
Agroha Medical College Also Served Notice
The Director of Maharaja Agrasen Medical College, Agroha, has been asked to clarify whether the child was referred to the institution, the action taken, the availability and occupancy status of NICU beds and ventilators, and the reasons for the inability to provide ventilator support. However, according to available records, the child was not taken to Agroha and was referred directly to PGIMS, Rohtak.
Civil Surgeon Hisar to Provide Chronology of Events
The Civil Surgeon, Hisar, has been directed to submit the complete chronology of the newborn's treatment, referrals, and movement from birth till death, along with medical records. The report must also include details of neonatal ventilators available on the date of the incident, whether neighbouring government hospitals were contacted before successive referrals, and the action taken against officials concerned, if any.
District Medical Negligence Board Also Under Scanner
The HHRC has sought a status report from the District Medical Negligence Board, Hisar, which is probing the circumstances leading to the newborn's death. The Commission's multi-pronged inquiry aims to fix accountability and ensure that such tragedies are prevented in the future.
