Bhubaneswar: The National Human Right Commission (NHRC) Friday asked the Odisha government to pay Rs 3 lakh as compensation to the kin of Mini Pradhan, an ASHA worker from Daringibadi under Kandhamal district, who died September 5, 2016 due to unavailability of ambulance to their area, poor road connectivity and no mobile network.
Acting on a case filed by Supreme Court lawyer and Human Rights activist Radhakanta Tripathy, the Commission also directed Chief Secretary of the State Asit Tripathy to submit a compliance report along with proof of payment by December 13 this year.
In his petition, Tripathy stated that Mini complained of labour pain September 5, 2016. When the family members called the ambulance, it couldn’t enter the village due to poor road connectivity.
On the other hand, due to poor mobile connectivity it was impossible for Mini’s family members to call any other vehicle.
When she was taken to the hospital on a cot, she died on the way.
Alleging failure of the State in saving Mini and her child’s life and seeking heavy compensation, Tripathy sought a fair probe of the incident and assurance of road connectivity, ambulance and mobile connectivity to Mini’s village as soon as possible.
During the course of enquiry, it was revealed by the Director (Administration) National Health Mission, Odisha that mobile connectivity is still not up to the mark in the area. The roads to the village are in such poor condition, making it impossible for ambulances to enter many rural villages under Daringibadi block.
The NHRC observed that State authorities have admitted their guilt and inaction in the hours of need and emergency.
On the other hand the State government has introduced the SAMMPURNA scheme in which there are provisions for reimbursement of transportation cost for pregnant women from villages where ambulances cannot reach.
Questioning the use of the scheme, the NHRC asked the Odisha government that if State’s ambulance cannot reach the difficult terrain where there is no proper connectivity or has poor road connectivity, how can private transport facilities operate for which the State claims to provide reimbursement of transportation cost.
The NHRC observed that an ASHA worker was a well-known person in the area and the enquiry report submitted by the State revealed that Mini Pradhan had last attended the Village Health Nutrition Day (VHND) session September 2, 2016. There she informed the doctors that her Expected Date of Delivery (EDD) was September 5, 2016.
Despite knowing about the condition of the village, the doctors had not taken any measures for Mini’s health. The NHRC believes that the State authorities violated human rights of not only the deceased Mrs. Mini Pradhan but also her unborn child.
PNN