PANAJI
The Goa Human Rights Commission (GHRC) has disposed of a complaint alleging medical negligence against the Goa Medical College and Hospital, ruling in favour of the doctors and holding that no violation of human rights was established in the treatment of a 31-year-old road accident victim, who died in January 2024.
In its inquiry report on Friday, the Commission concluded that the treating doctors had exercised due care, skill and diligence, and the treatment administered was in accordance with standard medical practice.
The complaint was filed by Nicholas D’Mello of Aldona, whose son, Nathaniel, sustained severe head injuries in a road accident at Bambolim in the early hours of January 7, 2024. He was brought to GMC by an 108 ambulance at about 2.08 am and admitted to the casualty department.
Medical records showed that the patient had suffered a head injury with a Glasgow Coma Score of 8/15 and a fracture of the right proximal tibia. He remained in a coma till his death on January 26, 2024. The complainant alleged that his son’s death was the result of medical negligence.
The Commission observed that although the formal admission time was recorded later in the morning, doctors had commenced investigations and treatment immediately without waiting for paperwork to be completed. The patient was shifted to the ICU following neurological deterioration and placed on ventilator support. A tracheotomy was performed on January 19 after consent was obtained from his mother.
“...the Doctors did not waste time on the admission formalities to be completed before swinging into action, to administer the best possible treatment to the patient. The records also indicate that the Respondent (GMCH) had followed the protocol for the treatment of patients with Head Injuries, not in need of surgical interventions and adequate investigations had been done. So also there was no delay in the treatment of the patient, as the Doctors sprang into action no sooner the patient was brought into the casualty,” reads the report by GHRC’s Acting Chairperson Desmond D’Costa and Member Pramod Kamat.
The Commission noted that the patient was shifted from the ICU to the ward, where he was periodically monitored and necessary investigations were carried out.
“Several tests were conducted on the patient to track his vitals and to keep track of signs of infection. On January 26, 2024, the patient was shifted to ICU from ward 108. Unfortunately, despite all efforts of the Doctors, the death happened. On account of infection, the patient had developed, he did not respond to the antibiotics,” the report added, while stating,
“... the records indicate that the treating Doctors had attended on the patient with due care, skill and diligence and the treatment given to the patient was according to the standard medical practices and they did all that was possible to save the patient, ruling out any negligence on their part.”
Agreeing with submissions made by counsel for GMC, the Commission held that the complainant had failed to demonstrate any violation of human rights arising from the treatment provided. The proceedings were accordingly disposed of.
