Stating that there were serious lapses in the mechanism for infection control at Stanley Medical College Hospital, the Madras High Court on Monday directed the State government to pay adequate interim compensation to the patients who were infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the hospital during dialysis a few months back.
The First Bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice T.S.Sivagnanam, issued the directions based on a PIL moved by Jayaram Venkatesan of Mylapore, seeking direction to the State Health Department to list out patients who underwent dialysis from March 1, 2014 till date for treatment for kidney failure and HCV in the Stanley Hospital.
The petitioner also sought direction to provide special free treatment on priority basis to all affected victims and award adequate compensation to them and to constitute an expert committee to find the reason for the spread of HCV in the Hospital.
The Bench pointed out the authorities were silent about the extent of compensation to be paid to the victims, despite a specific direction issued on February 27.
“We expect that before the next date of hearing adequate interim compensation would have been paid to the victims, failing which the Health Secretary shall remain present in Court,” the Bench said and posted the matter to June 11 .
Petitioner seeks reason for spread of HCV in Stanley
