‘Patients won’t be treated if attendants violate hospital protocols’: Assam health minister

Assam Health Minister Ashok Singhal, on November 8, warned that patients could be denied treatment at medical colleges if their attendants refuse to follow hospital protocols and instructions issued by authorities.

During an inspection of Tezpur Medical College and Hospital, Singhal flagged several instances of behaviour that could compromise patient safety, including overcrowding around patients, kissing newborns and entering intensive care units (ICUs) and operation theatres without following hygiene protocols.

He said such practices could expose vulnerable patients to infections and put their lives at risk. The minister directed attendants to comply with doctors' instructions and maintain hygiene within hospital premises.

Singhal also flagged delays in X-ray services, saying the issue would be addressed from the following day.

During the inspection, he expressed dissatisfaction with the upkeep of several departments, pointing to poor cleanliness, broken glass panels and inadequate maintenance.

He instructed the principal and superintendent to ensure repairs are carried out department by department, prioritising gynaecology, paediatrics and surgery.

Taking a dim view of the maintenance agencies' performance, Singhal said he would return after 10 days to assess the progress of the repairs.

The minister also announced plans to equip six medical colleges in Guwahati, Dibrugarh, Silchar, Barpeta, Tezpur and Jorhat with super-speciality facilities, with the stated aim of reducing patients' dependence on hospitals outside Assam for advanced treatment.