Thane: The Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has taken up the complainant filed by a Bhiwandi resident, Nilesh Jadhav, about the death of an adivasi labourer, Vittha Dev Korda, who died in 2021 after being admitted to the Indira Gandhi Sub-District Hospital in Thane following a snake bite.
The Commission has raised serious concerns over medical negligence and inadequate infrastructure, including the absence of a functioning ventilator that could have saved the patient’s life.
The SHRC has directed the Joint Commissioner of Police, Thane, to clarify whether any criminal offence or accidental death (AD) case has been registered in relation to Korda’s death. Additionally, the Commission has ordered the Civil Surgeon of Thane to file an affidavit detailing the actions taken against those responsible for medical negligence and what steps have since been taken to upgrade hospital infrastructure and staffing.
The complaint, was about how the government hospital lacked critical life-saving equipment , specifically the ventilator and requested the SHRC to recommend urgent infrastructural improvements to the state government. The incident, widely reported in regional newspapers, had raised an uproar over the poor condition of healthcare facilities in tribal and rural areas.
Meanwhile after a local news reportage, the Thane District Civil Surgeon had constituted a three-member committee in July 2021 to investigate the matter. The committee submitted its findings on January 31, 2022, pointing to gross negligence and systemic failure at multiple levels.
Key Findings of the Inquiry Report which was produced before the commission, were as follows:
. Shortage of Trained Medical Staff: The hospital, designed for 100 beds, lacked adequate trained personnel, including for ICU management.
. Inadequate Treatment: Despite fluctuating vitals, Korda was referred to another hospital instead of being stabilized and treated for snakebite complications
. Ambulance Mismanagement: No records exist of informing the 108 ambulance service about the patient’s condition, nor was a doctor sent with the patient — both of which were required protocols.
. Ventilators Unused: Although ventilators were reportedly available beyond those reserved for COVID-19 patients, hospital staff admitted they were never utilized.
. Contradictory Statements: The inquiry found that Dr. Jayashree Maske provided misleading information, failed in her duties, and did not coordinate with the treating doctor, Dr. Amol Shette.
. Lack of Coordination: Statements from medical officers and ward staff revealed severe lapses in internal communication and planning.
. Outdated Equipment: The committee emphasized that equipment used in the hospital was obsolete compared to modern standards, and called for urgent upgrades.
The matter is now posted for further hearing on June 26.
