Shamna Tasnim's father writes to Human Rights panel on medical report

KOCHI: K.A. Abootty, the father of medico Shamna Tasnim who died at Ernakulam Government Medical College on July 18, has written a letter to the State Human Rights Commission requesting him to look into the report of the Joint Director of Medical Education (JDME). The report had found medical negligence in the case of attending to Shamna.

"The very next day of the finding of the Human Rights Commission chairman that the doctors who treated Shamna were responsible for her death, the State Government suspended two doctors who treated her and ordered further inquiry into the incident. A committee led by the JDME had also conducted a department level inquiry into the incident. I am submitting a copy of the report of the committee for your consideration. I request you to peruse the same and take steps to ensure justice for me and my family," the letter said.

The State Human Rights Commission had ordered to register a case on October 5 after prima facie observing that there was medical negligence leading to Shamna's sudden death. Commission Acting Chairman P Mohandas in his order had also asked the Chief Secretary and Health Secretary, among others, to submit an explanation within three weeks. The Commission is set to consider the case at its sitting in Kannur November.

The Kalamassery police which was investigating the case had sent a report in this regard to the commission last week. After that, the DGP assured Abootty that the case will be handed over to the Crime Branch. The final conclusion in the JDME led panel report is the most damning one which says “A casual indifferent dealing if not callousness was very palpable at every stage in the care and treatment given to Ms Shamna Thasneem.”