Assam: Bir Lachit Sena protests alleged negligence at Boko Health Centre, demands Rs 10 Lakh compensation for deceased

The Boko regional committee of Bir Lachit Sena Assam staged a protest at Boko Block Primary Health Centre on Wednesday, alleging medical negligence, irregularities and corruption at the government-run facility. The organisation has demanded Rs 10 lakh in compensation for the family of Santona Boro, a pregnant woman who died on October 3, and called for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.

Addressing the protest, committee president Boloram Das alleged that medical negligence led to Boro’s death. He also claimed that the family had not received the medical documents relating to her treatment.

The organisation appealed to Assam Health Minister Ashok Singhal to visit the bereaved family, assess its circumstances and ensure that the allegations were investigated. It also announced that its Boko regional committee would bear the future expenses of Boro’s child.

Responding to the allegations, Dr Apurba Talukdar, deputy superintendent of Boko Block Primary Health Centre, said Boro had been referred to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) after her condition deteriorated. She subsequently died while undergoing treatment at the hospital, he said.

Talukdar added that the Kamrup District Health Department had initiated an inquiry into the incident. He said appropriate action would be taken if the investigation established negligence on the part of any doctor or healthcare worker.

The protest also brought forward allegations concerning another incident involving Das’s family. He claimed that his wife experienced a medical emergency on September 12 due to alleged negligence at the health centre. According to Das, he subsequently admitted her to a nearby private hospital in critical condition, where doctors saved the lives of his wife and newborn child.

Das said he had lodged a written complaint at Boko Police Station on September 13, seeking an investigation into the incident. He alleged that no action had been taken on the complaint so far.

Bir Lachit Sena Assam also called on Raju Mech, MLA from the Boko-Chaygaon Assembly constituency, to intervene and ensure an inquiry into the alleged irregularities at the health centre.

The organisation further accused some doctors at the facility of referring patients to private hospitals for childbirth and subsequently performing surgical procedures at those facilities for financial gain. It named Dr Rumki Pal, Dr Jayanta Das and Dr Roma Nath Bhagawati and opposed their alleged private medical practice, arguing that government doctors should provide services through the public healthcare system.

The organisation urged the authorities to examine these allegations and take action in accordance with applicable rules. In response, Talukdar asked the protesters to submit a written complaint supported by relevant evidence so that the allegations concerning private practice could be examined under government regulations.

The protest has intensified calls from local residents for the district administration to investigate the allegations and address concerns over healthcare services at the facility.

The allegations of medical negligence and misconduct have not been independently established. The district health department's inquiry is expected to determine the circumstances surrounding Boro’s death and whether any medical or administrative lapses occurred.