Mon May 19 17:59:07 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text and a rewritten version as a news article, designed to fit within “The Hindu” publication style:
**Summary:**
The Tamil Nadu State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has recommended strong action against a government doctor, Dr. C. Prabakar, for allegedly refusing to treat a woman with burns at a public hospital and directing her to his private practice, where she later died. The SHRC recommends a criminal case, immediate dismissal, and substantial compensation to the woman’s husband, partially to be recovered from the doctor and other hospital staff involved. The commission also called for increased monitoring of government doctors’ private practices.
**News Article:**
**SHRC Calls for Action Against Doctor in Patient Death, Recommends ₹50 Lakh Compensation**
**CHENNAI, May 19, 2025:** The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has issued a strong recommendation to the Tamil Nadu government, urging the registration of a criminal case and immediate dismissal of a government doctor accused of negligence and misconduct leading to the death of a patient in 2018.
The case stems from a complaint filed by S. Karuppasamy of Kovilpatti, whose wife suffered burns and sought treatment at a local primary health center. According to the complaint, Dr. C. Prabakar, instead of providing care at the government facility, allegedly directed her to a private hospital where he practiced and charged over ₹11 lakh for treatment. Karuppasamy further alleged that Dr. Prabakar threatened his wife when questioned about the treatment.
The SHRC, led by member V. Kannadasan, concluded that Dr. Prabakar was responsible for the maltreatment of the woman, based on a report from the Directorate of Medical and Rural Health Services which found the allegations largely true. The Commission recommended that the government pay ₹50 lakh in compensation to the victim’s husband. While the government is vicariously liable for ₹6 lakh, ₹40 lakh is to be recovered from Dr. Prabakar. Further, ₹2 lakh from a senior civil surgeon, Venkateshwara Sri, and ₹1 lakh each from nurses Kumareswari and Gurulakshmi, who were also implicated in the patient’s transfer, are to be recovered.
The SHRC also dismissed charges against the then Additional Director of Medical Services, A. Kamalavasan.
Beyond individual accountability, the SHRC emphasized the need for systemic changes. It recommended rigorous monitoring of the private practices of government doctors to prevent the diversion of patients from public to private facilities, particularly during official working hours. This recommendation aims to address concerns about potential conflicts of interest and ensure equitable access to healthcare for all citizens. The incident highlights the urgent need for greater oversight of medical professionals and stricter adherence to ethical standards within the healthcare system.
First Piper 