The North East Human Rights Organization (NEHRO) has lodged a complaint with the Arunachal Pradesh State Human Rights Commission (APSHRC) regarding alleged medical negligence and denial of emergency medical service at the Namsai district hospital leading to the death of a woman and her newborn baby.
According to the complainant, on 28 September, at around 8:30 pm, the deceased, Gita Murmu, who was due for delivery, experienced severe labour pain and was rushed by her husband and relatives to the Namsai district hospital by 9 pm.
The family members claimed that there was no emergency doctor when they reached the hospital. A nurse allegedly informed them that no emergency doctor was on duty at that time and unilaterally issued a referral slip to the Assam Medical College in Dibrugarh, without consulting a doctor, the NEHRO stated.
In the complaint letter, the organization stated that,despite the hospital having an ambulance, the family was reportedly denied its use, with staffers stating that no driver was available at that time.
“Instead, they issued a petrol coupon worth Rs 1,500 and asked the family to arrange their own private vehicle,” it said.
The hospital staff allegedly refused to provide any paramedic or necessary equipment for a safe transfer, despite repeated pleas from the victim’s family.