Assam: No doctors for three days in Sarthebari hospital, services allegedly handled by support staff

A deeply troubling situation has surfaced at the 30-bed rural hospital in Sarthabari, Assam where healthcare services have been running allegedly without a single doctor for the past three days. With only two support staff on duty—belonging to third- and fourth-grade categories—the hospital is operating in a critically understaffed condition.

The persistent absence of both doctors and nursing staff has left the hospital in a near non-functional state. Medical services, in the interim, are being handled solely by the two available medical assistants, raising serious concerns over the safety and quality of patient care.

According to local residents, the absence of medical professionals, particularly during night hours, has become a recurring issue. They allege that under the current Medical Officer In-Charge, Chamsul Hoque, such operational lapses have become routine.

Locals are especially alarmed by the hospital's inability to respond to emergencies, particularly at night, due to the lack of both doctors and basic medical infrastructure.