Guwahati, Sept. 12: The Assam Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has registered a suo moto case after taking into consideration a newspaper report on the death of 40 patients from tuberculosis (TB) in the last seven months because of inadequate medication and unhygienic condition in the city's Lokopriya Gopinath Bordoloi TB Hospital.

The commission has also issued a notice to the chief secretary of the state for an inquiry to be conducted into the matter by a public officer not below the rank of a secretary to the state government and submit the report thereof within 30 days of receipt of the notice.

The particular newspaper report attributed the lack of sufficient medicines and unhygienic conditions of the TB hospital to the neglect and lack of interest on the part of the state health department.

The report also mentioned that a number of health workers, including doctors and nurses, are working in an insecure atmosphere because of lack of protective medical equipment# and gear like N-95 masks and gloves and adequate supply of disinfectants.

The posts of seven ward attendants, six sweepers, five watchmen, two cleansers and two washermen are lying vacant at present. As a result, the patients, too, do not have access to clean hospital linen and a clean environment.

The commission also recommended that the state government provide immediate monetary compensation worth Rs 2 lakh to the families of each of the deceased patients within two months of receipt of the instant recommendation.

It also directed the state government to equip the TB hospital with the required manpower and essential medical supplies and submit a report of compliance before it.