For the first time, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) here today started hearing complaints filed by patients against private and government hospitals.
The two-day hearing begun at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) in suburban Deonar here.
Acting Chairperson of NHRC Justice Cyriac Joseph presided over the hearing, while chairpersons of human rights panels of the four states-- Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa and Rajasthan-- were also present to put forth the cases filed with them.
Terming it as the "most unforgettable day in the history of human rights", advocate Kamayani Mahabal, a senior associate of Jan Swasthya Abhiyan (JSA), which organised the hearing, said this exercise would pave the way for protection of human rights in future.
"Almost 30 cases were heard by the chairperson by this afternoon itself. He personally talked to the complainants, listened to their grievances, passed orders and in few cases he also directed monetary compensations," Mahabal added.
JSA is the Indian circle of People's Health Movement, a worldwide movement to establish health as a human right, carried out by the civil society organisations.
NHRC has planned to hear around 55 cases from Maharashtra, 30 cases each from Gujarat and Rajasthan and 10 cases of alleged medical negligence to ascertain the human right violations by healthcare providers.
The event convenor and JSA member Dr Leni Chaudhari said, "This was the first time when the victims of medical negligence, who earlier ran from pillar to post in the hope of justice, finally found it at our doors."
NHRC has planned to hold more such hearings in different cities in ear future.
