NHRC asks UP to explain patient's death in ambulance

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Friday served a notice on the Uttar Pradesh government over the reported death of a patient in Bijnor for want of oxygen in an ambulance, officials said.

Taking suo motu cognizance of a media report that an asthma patient died in Chandpur area of Bijnor in the ambulance as the oxygen cylinder was empty and that the relatives of the patient raised a protest, the human rights panel issued the notice to the state government.

The notice was served through the Secretary, Department of Medical Health & Family Welfare, calling for a report within four weeks.

The NHRC has observed that it was shocked to peruse the painful news report that a human life could not be saved even after timely arrival of the ambulance, because the oxygen cylinder, which is the most crucial and important life saving apparatus, was not functional.

"This is a case of sheer negligence on the part of the concerned officers, amounting to violation of right to life of the patient," the notice stated.

According to media reports, 55-year-old Mohd Aslam, a resident of Chandpur area of Bijnor, suffered a severe attack of asthma. His family members called up 108 for an ambulance.

The ambulance did come and the patient was shifted into it, but on way to hospital the oxygen cylinder in the ambulance was found to be empty. The patient died in the ambulance for want of oxygen.

--IANS

md/nir/vt