Expired vaccine negligence at Gandhi Hospital, Secunderabad: Telangana Govt told to pay victims Rs. 1.2L each
Hyderabad: The Telangana State Human Rights Commission (TSHRC), presided over by Dr. Justice Shameem Akther, has directed the Government of Telangana to pay ₹1.25 lakh as compensation to each complainant affected by the administration of expired Hepatitis-B vaccines at Gandhi Hospital, Secunderabad.
The directive was issued in a common order passed in HRC Nos. 3464/2014 and 4350/2015, where the Commission found gross negligence in the administration of vaccines by hospital staff. The incident was held to be a serious violation of the victims’ fundamental right to health and dignity.
The case originated from complaints filed by sixteen individuals who were administered expired Hepatitis-B vaccines by Dr. V. Tara Devi, then a Research Fellow at the ART/COE wing of Gandhi Hospital. Six of the complainants appeared before the Commission and described physical discomfort and mental distress following the incident.
The Commission noted that the hospital administration had failed to maintain basic standards of drug verification. A report submitted by the Superintendent of Gandhi Hospital blamed the incident on "oversight" due to two differing expiry dates printed on the vaccine packaging, one for the syringe and another for the vaccine. The Superintendent also attempted to shift blame to the manufacturer and drug dealer. However, the Commission dismissed this explanation, calling it unconvincing and medically unfounded.
“It is the non-negotiable duty of every medical officer to verify the expiry date before administering any medicine. Oversight in such a sensitive matter is unacceptable,” the Commission stated.
The hospital’s attempt to argue that the low potency of the expired vaccine meant there were no side effects was also rejected. The Commission observed that the victims had suffered mental trauma and physical discomfort, which was corroborated during the hearings.
The Commission also noted that Dr. Tara Devi had been suspended, but said this disciplinary action was insufficient in addressing the broader institutional failure and the impact on the victims.
During the inquiry, the TSHRC found lapses not only at the individual level but also in the hospital’s drug procurement and administration systems. It criticized the hospital administration’s attempt to shield senior officials, including the Superintendent, and found the internal report to be biased and aimed at avoiding accountability.
In HRC No. 4350/2015, which was taken up suo motu based on a newspaper report, the Commission had directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police (North Zone), Hyderabad, to inspect the hospital’s medicine stock and submit a detailed report. A joint inspection was also conducted by Commission officials.
Based on the findings in both cases, the TSHRC issued the following key recommendations:
- Disciplinary Action: The Chief Secretary of Telangana has been directed to take appropriate action against all officials responsible, including the Superintendent of Gandhi Hospital.
- Procurement Reforms: The state must ensure that hospitals do not accept near-expiry or expired medicines and that suppliers print expiry dates clearly and prominently.
- Compensation: Each complainant in HRC No. 3464/2014 is to be paid ₹1,25,000 as compensation for the physical and mental suffering caused.
- Implementation Timeline: All recommendations are to be implemented within two months.
The Commission highlighted that the government is vicariously liable for the actions and omissions of its hospital staff and institutions.
