Sri Vijaya Puram, Mar 08: Mr. Angshuman Roy, State Youth President of Hindu Rashtra Shakti, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, has expressed serious concern over an alleged incident of medical negligence at GB Pant Hospital that reportedly led to the death of a patient on March 6, 2026.
In a representation addressed to Jagat Prakash Nadda, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare,Mr. Prataprao Jadhav, Ms.Anupriya Patel, Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava, the Lieutenant Governor of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and the Member of Parliament from the Islands Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray, Roy sought immediate intervention and administrative action into the matter.
According to the representation, Late Shyamangunnamma reportedly died while undergoing treatment in the Female Surgical Ward of GB Pant Hospital. Roy stated that the circumstances surrounding the patient’s death have raised serious concerns regarding alleged delay in medical intervention, inadequate monitoring and possible dereliction of duty on the part of the attending doctors, nursing staff and other officials responsible for emergency care. It has been alleged that despite the patient being admitted in a critical condition and repeated requests by family members for urgent attention, necessary emergency procedures were not initiated in time.
Roy stated that if such alleged inaction during crucial hours is established, it may amount to gross medical negligence and breach of the duty of care expected from medical professionals entrusted with saving lives. He emphasized that every patient admitted to a hospital is entitled to timely and proper medical treatment and that failure to provide such treatment may attract legal liability. Citing judicial precedents, he noted that negligence in government hospitals resulting in loss of life may constitute a violation of the fundamental right to life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.
The representation also highlighted broader systemic issues affecting healthcare services in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, including shortage of doctors, specialist doctors and adequate nursing staff in government hospitals. Roy expressed concern that despite various national healthcare initiatives launched by the Government of India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to strengthen healthcare infrastructure, their intended benefits appear to be inadequately implemented in the Islands.
In view of the seriousness of the allegations, Roy has requested the authorities to order an immediate, impartial and time-bound inquiry into the incident to ascertain the facts and determine responsibility. He also urged that CCTV footage of the Emergency Ward and Female Surgical Ward during the relevant period be preserved and examined to establish the sequence of events.
He further requested that the role and responsibility of the Medical Superintendent of the hospital be examined to determine whether there had been any administrative lapse or failure in supervision of medical services. Roy stated that if negligence or dereliction of duty is established, appropriate disciplinary and legal action should be initiated against the responsible officials in accordance with applicable rules and laws.
Considering the irreparable loss suffered by the family, he also appealed to the Administration to consider granting financial compensation and humanitarian assistance to the bereaved family. A copy of a detailed representation submitted by Mr. K. Vijay Kumar, son of Late Shyamangunnamma and a resident of Dairy Farm, Port Blair, explaining the circumstances leading to his mother’s death, has also been forwarded to the concerned authorities for reference.
Roy stated that the incident has caused deep concern among residents of the Islands and has raised serious questions regarding the functioning of public healthcare institutions. He urged the Ministry of Health and the Union Territory Administration to treat the matter with urgency so that justice is ensured and necessary corrective measures are taken to strengthen the healthcare system in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
