Negligence To Covid Patients: HC Directs Odisha Govt To Pay Compensation To Victims

The Orissa High Court on Wednesday directed the Odisha government to provide Rs 5 lakh compensation each to the families of the two patients who died due to alleged medical negligence while undergoing treatment for Covid-19 at the Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR) in Burla.

Moreover, the Court has also directed the State government to provide Rs 50,000 each to 11 more families and submit compliance report by May 2, 2022. 

The HC’s directive came after retired district judge ABS Naidu submitted his reports on the alleged medical negligence at the hospital. Justice Naidu was appointed as the Inquiry Officer to probe into the allegations of medical negligence at the premier health institute.

It is worthwhile to mention here, one Gyanadutta Chouhan, a resident of Kendbahal in Bargarh district, had moved the HC drawing the Court’s attention to the lack of proper medical facilities and negligence at VIMSAR for Covid patients. Chouhan along with nine other people had filed an affidavit to adduce their claims of medical negligence.

While hearing the Chauhan’s petition, a division bench of the HC comprising Chief Justice S Muralidhar and Justice Savitri Ratho on July 7, 2021 appointed Justice Naidu to probe the alleged medical negligence allegations.