The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) recently issued notice to the Odisha Government regarding the growing incidents of stray dog bites at the Acharya Harihar Post Graduate Institute of Cancer (AHPGIC), Cuttack.
According to reports, as many as five patients were bitten by stray dogs on hospital grounds in the past few weeks, delaying critical cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation.
The NHRC has determined that the contents of the media report, if true, amount to a violation of the patients’ human rights.
As a result, the Commission asked for a detailed report on the matter from the Chief Secretary of the Government of Odisha, the Director of the Acharya Harihar Post Graduate Institute of Cancer (AHPGIC), Cuttack, and the Commissioner of the Cuttack Municipal Corporation within six weeks.
The reports should include the steps they have taken or plan to take to deal with the stray dog problem inside the AHPGIC Institute and to ensure the safety of the patients and their attendants on hospital grounds.
The NHRC also noted that the hospital administration appears to have violated the NHRC’s Charter of Patients’ Rights, which is unacceptable in a rule-based society.
This provides for their right to safety and quality care in accordance with standards such as a clean environment within the hospital premises, infection control measures, safe drinking water as per BIS or FSSAI standards, and sanitation facilities. Patients have the right to be attended to, treated, and cared for with due skill and professionalism in accordance with medical ethics principles.
According to a media report published on May 22, 2023, the 281-bed premier government cancer hospital sees 700 to 1,000 patients per day.
The dogs bite the patients and their attendants and steal their food. The stray dogs are also seen roaming freely in the hospital wards. The media report highlighted the cases of two cancer patients who were bitten by dogs on the hospital grounds, causing their cancer treatment to be delayed.
