The State Human Rights Commission has held the police and hospital authorities responsible for the death of a person due to lack of timely medical attention.
44-year-old Rajiv Gopalakrishnan of Karunagapally had fainted at Kuravankonam Junction on Thursday afternoon.
He remained unattended for nearly an hour there and the police failed to take him to hospital.
Although he was later taken to the Medical College Hospital here in a private vehicle by some passers-by, treatment was delayed.
The doctors at the casualty issued directions for a C.T. scan, which got delayed for half an hour as the lift at the building was not operational. The ambulance also came half an hour late as the driver had gone away for lunch. By the time the scan had been completed and the patient was admitted to the ward, it was too late and he passed away.
The rights panel has asked the Health Secretary and District Police Chief to submit an explanation on the incident within two weeks.
The order was issued in response to a petition filed by social activist P.K. Raju, who alleged that apart from non-functional lifts, patients at the Medical College Hospital also had insufficient number of trolleys, wheel-chairs, and employees.
