Ayush Doctor’s Death: NHRC seeks ATR from Police and Energy Dept

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has served notices to Odisha police and energy department over an electrocution death of a doctor in a Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Gajapati District and sought an action taken report within four weeks.

Dr. Sanjay Moharana (27) was found dead in his Government residence at Mohana PHC of the district on  26 August allegedly due to electrocution. He was only son of Gokul Chandra Maharana of Sanagada village of Raj Ranpur in Nayagarh District.

After the family members approached the rights activist Akhand, he had filed a petition with the Commission alleging that due to negligence of electricity authorities, an young doctor lost his life. Taking cognizance over the issues, the commission has sought action taken reports from secretary of Department of Energy and Superintendent of Police of Gajapati.

“Proper maintenance was not done by the Electricity officials. This official found a heater in his quarter and told that due to contact with the heater wire he was died. But local said that he was using heater for treatment purpose like heating water, milk etc. That should be probed properly. Till now no inquiry is done by the electricity officials”, said the petition.

AYUSH doctors are appointed by the Government under National Health Mission as contract workers. But they should avail EPF, ESI etc as per the provision by the Government of India. But in Odisha, due to the negligence of Health Department, these doctors are not entitled to these benefits.

“Sanjay is the latest victim of this negligence. He died, but family members did not get single pie. So it is a right of a person to get this benefit after appointed in any agency. But, Government is intentionally does not provide these professional security to them, alleged Akhand.

Victim’s father have submitted various application to District Collector, Gajapati , Secretary, Health and Family welfare department etc. for help in this regard. But all are in vain, he added.

The petitioner had prayed for compensation to family of the diseased doctor and all social security benefits to his bereaved father.