Rajasthan: NHRC issues notices after wrong blood transfusion leaves 10-year-old child in critical condition at Jaipur’s SMS hospital

New Delhi: Taking suo motu cognizance of a media report stating that a 10-year-old child was transfused with the wrong blood type while undergoing treatment at JK Lon Hospital of Sawai Man Singh Medical College (SMS) in Jaipur, Rajasthan, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Monday issued notices to the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police of the state.

“The boy is reported to be in a critical condition and on ventilator support. Allegedly, he was transfused with two different blood types on 5th December 2024 and 7th December 2024,” the NHRC said.

The Commission also highlighted a similar incident in which a 23-year-old patient lost his life at SMS Hospital, Jaipur, only a few months ago.

“Two reported cases of negligence in blood transfusion at the same government-run medical facility are indeed shocking and a matter of concern for the Commission, as they amount to violations of the right to health and life of the patients. The matter requires a thorough probe to identify the persons responsible for such negligence and to ensure such incidents do not recur,” the NHRC observed.

The NHRC also issued notices to the authorities in a case regarding the death of a five-year-old boy on 11th December, after he was trapped in a 150-foot-deep borewell for nearly 56 hours in the Dausa district of Rajasthan. Reportedly, the boy fell into the borewell while playing in a field.

The Commission has called for a detailed report within two weeks. “The report is expected to include the status of the victim child’s health, the FIR, action taken against the responsible persons, and details of compensation, if any, provided to the aggrieved by the authorities,” the NHRC said.

The Commission observed that the contents of the news reports, if true, raise serious issues of human rights violations. “This apparent negligence not only amounts to dereliction of duty but also constitutes a violation of the people's right to life,” the NHRC said.