After 3 deaths, Karnataka mulls law to protect patients from high-handed govt hospital staff

BENGALURU: A day following the heart-wrenching incident of a 30-year-old woman and her twins dying after doctors at Tumakuru district hospital allegedly declined to take her into the labour room, the state government decided to protect patients from the high-handedness of health professionals and personnel in government-run hospitals.
Health minister K Sudhakar said the government has decided to enact a law by amending the rules during the forthcoming winter session of the legislature after obtaining permission from the chief minister. Late Thursday night, the health department suspended a gynaecologist, Dr Usha AR, and three nursing officers, Yashoda BY, Divya Bharati and Savita, of the hospital pending departmental inquiry.

The minister held back-to-back meetings and decided to amend the rules just like the government brought in a legislation some years ago to safeguard medicare service institutions and professionals from any violence or damage to property.
"If any medical personnel, from doctor to ward assistant, in any government hospital/institute misbehave with patients or others, they will immediately be terminated from service. I will discuss this with the CM and if need be, we will bring necessary amendments to the rules in the forthcoming legislature session," Sudhakar told TOI after the meetings.
The minister further clarified that more than documents, it is the life of the patient which is important, and humanity must prevail over any other formalities during emergencies.
"When we enacted the Karnataka Good Samaritan and Medical Professional Act a few years ago, this was what we had in mind. If we miss out on the golden hour, nothing can replace the patient's life. Any documentation can be done after clinical procedures. I had never thought our own officials could go to this extent, resulting in the death of a mother and her twins.
Because of this callous attitude, we are at the receiving end despite ensuring affordable healthcare all through the pandemic. It's a lesson for us and that's why we're taking the legislation route," the minister clarified.
Speaking to reporters earlier, Sudhakar said in emergencies, hospitals should not insist on documents, adding they can be collected after the attending to the emergency. The minister announced a Rs 5 lakh fixed deposit will be opened in the name of the woman's daughter, who has now been sent to an orphanage. He assured the government will take care of her education.
Home minister Araga Jnanendra said the government has instructed staffers at all hospitals to give priority to treatment of patients rather than asking for papers. "As the health minister said, our government will bring in a new law to dismiss doctors who deny treatment for want of documents," he added.