Ensure compensation in maternal mortalities in PHCs: HC

The Karnataka High Court told the government on Tuesday to ensure that compensation was provided to the kin of maternal mortality victims, who die due to lack of availability of doctors and medical facilities in the government-owned Community Health Centres (CHCs) and Primary Health Centres (PHCs).

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Abhay S Oka and Justice Pradeep Singh Yerur was hearing a public interest litigation filed by the Karnataka State Legal Services Authority, seeking direction to the government on the control of Maternal Mortality Ratio.

Chief Justice Oka observed that the affidavit submitted by the government showed that there were no gynaecologists and paediatricians in the CHCs and PHCs. As many as 2,681 doctor posts and 998 staff nurse posts were vacant.

“It is the duty of the government to take responsibility for the deaths of mothers and infants and award compensation to their families,” he said. He observed that considering the declining maternity deaths in the state compared to other states, the court will pass an order to take action as per Article 21 of the Constitution next Tuesday.

During the hearing, the advocate for the petitioner Nalina Mayegowda submitted that it was the duty of the government to provide health facilities under Article 21 and sought direction to the government to ensure the Right of Health to the citizens.

The advocate for another petitioner, Clifton Rosario, submitted that 96 maternity mortalities were reported in the state and out of these, 46 have been studied individually. Most of the deaths happened in the rural areas, where PHCs have no expert doctors and medical staff. Additional government advocate B V Krishna submitted that the government had taken several steps to control maternity mortality, by carrying out special recruitment drive of doctors and other medical staff. The officials are framing special recruitment rules and the same will be implemented soon.

The chief justice said the government was always busy framing rules and regulations, but was not keen on the time-bound recruitment process to solve the problem.