Rabindranath Biswas
Diglipur, Sep 29: A 34-year-old woman, identified as Mrs. Joshna Halder, wife of Mr. Sanjit Halder and resident of Swarajgram-III, Diglipur, died at Primary Health Centre (PHC), Radhanagar, at around 5:30 a.m. today, following treatment for fever. The death has triggered protests by villagers, who have alleged medical negligence and demanded accountability and improvement of healthcare facilities at the PHC.
According to information available, Mrs. Joshna had reportedly been visiting PHC Radhanagar for the past two days owing to fever and was admitted to the health centre yesterday. The attending doctor examined her and prescribed an injection. However, the prescribed injection was allegedly not available at PHC Radhanagar, following which her husband went to the Sub-District Hospital/Community Health Centre (CHC), Diglipur, to obtain the medicine.
It is alleged that there was a delay in obtaining the injection as pharmaceutical staff at the CHC were initially hesitant to provide it to the patient’s husband. After the injection was subsequently administered, the patient’s condition reportedly showed some improvement but later deteriorated.
The patient’s family members reportedly requested the nursing officer on duty to call the doctor as her condition was worsening. The family has alleged that despite their requests, the patient did not receive timely medical attention. The doctor, however, reportedly stated that she had not been informed about the deterioration in the patient’s condition.
The woman subsequently breathed her last at around 5:30 a.m. at PHC Radhanagar.
Following the death, villagers of Radhanagar staged a dharna and road blockade in front of PHC Radhanagar, demanding accountability and better medical facilities.
At around 11:40 a.m., CMO, Sub-District Hospital Diglipur, along with SI Mohammad Rafique, I/c Police Station Diglipur, intervened and attempted to pacify the protesters. The protesters, however, demanded the intervention of the Assistant Commissioner, Diglipur, and raised concerns regarding the functioning and availability of medical services at the PHC.
At around 1:30 p.m., Assistant Commissioner Diglipur, Mr. Santosh Prakash, DANICS, accompanied by the SDPO Diglipur, reached the spot and heard the grievances of the protesters.
Among their demands, the protesters sought that the duty doctor should reside or remain available in the allotted government quarters near the PHC so that emergency cases can receive timely medical attention. They also demanded regular blood-testing facilities at PHC Radhanagar, particularly in view of concerns regarding leptospirosis during the present period.
Mrs. Bulbul Mistry, an active BJP leader, also raised demands for the distribution of medical kits for leptospirosis to all health centres, filling vacant health-staff positions and ensuring regular visits by doctors to PHCs in Diglipur, particularly during the leptospirosis season.
She further sought financial assistance for the bereaved family, either through the health services or from the Lieutenant Governor’s Fund, particularly in view of the two young children—a daughter and a son—left behind by the deceased.
The Assistant Commissioner gave a patient hearing to the grievances of the protesters and informed them that the matter was already under inquiry. The circumstances leading to the woman’s death and the allegations of medical negligence are now subject to inquiry.
