SHRC orders expert probe into alleged treatment lapse at RCC

The Kerala State Human Rights Commission has directed the Director of Medical Education (DME) to constitute a panel of expert doctors to investigate allegations of medical negligence in the treatment of a nine-month-old baby with leukaemia at the Regional Cancer Centre (RCC) here.

The Commission issued the directive in a case registered suo motu based on media reports.

The panel has been asked to conduct a comprehensive investigation to establish whether there was any serious lapse in treatment.

The parents of the infant, who are Kollam natives, had complained that an infection had developed on the infant’s left arm, at the site where a cannula had been inserted. They alleged that the infection was ignored by the treating doctors, following which the child’s condition had deteriorated, necessitating ventilatory support .

SHRC has directed the DME to ensure that the panel includes specialists capable of thoroughly assessing the complications suffered by the infant. The investigation must reveal whether a serious lapse in treatment has occurred. The panel should examine RCC’s contention that the infant’s condition had deteriorated due to advanced leukaemia and the parents’ allegation that the cannula-related infection was the cause of the infant’s serious condition.

The panel should examine whether proper sterilisation procedures were followed before the cannula was inserted, whether tests were conducted to identify the cause of the infection and what the test results had revealed.

The infant’s complete treatment records must be examined, and statements must be recorded from the doctors and other staff involved, including that of the nurse who inserted the cannula.

The panel should submit the enquiry report to the DME within one month. The DME should hand over the report, along with the relevant records to SHRC within five weeks, SHRC chairperson has said..

The RCC director has been asked to submit a separate report to the Commission within five weeks, including the report of the hospital’s internal enquiry into the incident.

SHRC has directed the Deputy DME and a senior medical officer representing the RCC director to appear at a sitting at the Commission’s headquarters on January 5.