1996 (5) TMI 446 - SC - Indian Laws

Government Hospitals' Denial of Medical Treatment Violates Fundamental Right to Life; Supreme Court Orders Compensation & Reform

Paschim Banga Khet Mazdoor Samity and Ors. Versus. State of West Bengal and Ors

The Supreme Court found that the denial of immediate medical treatment to Hakim Seikh by government hospitals violated his fundamental right to life under ... - Issues Involved:1. Denial of immediate medical treatment.2. Violation of fundamental rights under Article 21.3. Responsibility and accountability of medical officers.4. Recommendations for future remedial measures.5. Compensation for breach of fundamental rights.Detailed Analysis:1. Denial of Immediate Medical Treatment:The petitioner, Hakim Seikh, sustained serious head injuries and brain hemorrhage after falling from a train. Despite being taken to multiple government hospitals, he was denied admission due to the non-availability of beds and inadequate facilities. This included the Primary Health Center at Mathurapur, N.R.S. Medical College Hospital, Calcutta Medical College Hospital, Shambhu Nath Pandit Hospital, Calcutta National Medical College Hospital, Bangur Institute of Neurology, and SSKM Hospital. Consequently, he had to seek treatment at a private hospital, incurring significant expenses.2. Violation of Fundamental Rights Under Article 21:The Supreme Court emphasized that Article 21 of the Constitution imposes an obligation on the State to safeguard the right to life, which includes providing timely medical treatment. The denial of treatment to Hakim Seikh at various government hospitals constituted a breach of his right to life. The Court held that the State cannot evade responsibility for this denial, as it resulted from actions by officers of State-run hospitals.3. Responsibility and Accountability of Medical Officers:The Enquiry Committee, headed by a retired judge, found several lapses in the actions of medical officers and hospital superintendents. Specific findings included:- The Primary Health Center at Mathurapur lacked adequate facilities.- The Emergency Medical Officer at N.R.S. Medical College Hospital failed to admit Hakim Seikh despite his grave condition.- The Medical College Hospital, Calcutta, and the National Medical College Hospital also failed to admit him due to non-availability of beds.- The Bangur Institute of Neurology and SSKM Hospital did not maintain proper records or provide necessary treatment.The Committee recommended that appropriate administrative action be taken against the responsible officers.4. Recommendations for Future Remedial Measures:The Committee suggested several measures to prevent recurrence of such incidents and ensure immediate medical attention:- Primary Health Centers should provide proper medical aid if equipped.- Emergency Medical Officers should admit serious patients even if it means using trolley beds or the floor temporarily.- A Central Bed Bureau should be established to coordinate bed availability across hospitals.- Casualty hospitals or Traumatology Units should be set up regionally.- District and Sub-Division hospitals should be upgraded to handle serious cases locally.The State Government accepted these recommendations and issued a memorandum outlining specific guidelines for hospitals to follow.5. Compensation for Breach of Fundamental Rights:The Court awarded compensation to Hakim Seikh for the violation of his Article 21 rights. An interim compensation of Rs. 15,000 had already been paid, and the Court directed the State to pay an additional Rs. 10,000 within one month, totaling Rs. 25,000.Conclusion:The Supreme Court concluded that the denial of immediate medical treatment to Hakim Seikh by government hospitals resulted in a violation of his fundamental right to life under Article 21. The Court directed the State to compensate him and take necessary administrative action against responsible medical officers. Additionally, the Court endorsed the remedial measures recommended by the Enquiry Committee to prevent future occurrences and ensure timely medical treatment for all emergency patients. The judgment also urged other States and the Union of India to take similar steps to improve medical services nationwide. The writ petition was disposed of with these directions, and no order as to costs was made.