NHRC issues notice to Haryana Government and DGP over surgery on patient's wrong knee

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to the Haryana government and the state's police chief after a patient in Panipat was reportedly operated on the wrong knee. The patient, covered under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, was mistakenly operated on his left knee instead of his injured right knee. Despite being a scheme beneficiary, the hospital charged him ₹8,000 and took his Ayushman Bharat card.

When the patient's family protested, doctors performed surgery on the correct knee, but the patient is now unable to walk. The NHRC noted that this incident, if true, highlights severe medical negligence and a violation of the patient's rights to life and health.

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NHRC demands action

The NHRC took notice of the media report and demanded a detailed response from the Haryana Chief Secretary and Director General of Police within a week. The report should include actions taken against those responsible and any compensation given to the patient.

The NHRC criticized the authorities for failing to supervise private hospitals properly, resulting in the exploitation and inhumane treatment of patients. The patient, who has been working as a laborer after losing his family in a 2006 accident, injured his right knee while cleaning his house.

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