Arunachal: Families protest at TRIHMS over c-section death, demand action

Residents of Arunachal Pradesh’s capital staged a mass protest at the Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (TRIHMS) following two recent deaths—a newborn and a mother—allegedly due to medical negligence. 

Families of the deceased demanded immediate action against the doctors and nurses involved and refused to take the bodies from the mortuary until justice is served.

The protests saw family members and local residents staging a dharna inside TRIHMS, alleging that the hospital was experimenting on patients and failing in its duty of care. 

Bengia Augung, Bengia Kambe, and Bengia Thomas, relatives of the deceased, stated they were not seeking compensation but insisted on strict action against the medical staff responsible.

The Health Minister, Biyuram Wahge, expressed solidarity with the bereaved families and said a thorough inquiry was underway to ascertain the facts behind the deaths. “If negligence is established, legal recourse against the hospitals and doctors can be pursued through criminal courts, civil courts, and consumer protection forums. The law now distinguishes the criminal liability of medical professionals from others,” he said.

Also Read: AAPSU slams TRIHMS over alleged medical negligence after deaths of infant, young mother in separate cases

Additional officials highlighted that as the lone medical college in the state, TRIHMS bears a heightened responsibility and should not risk patient safety through experimental treatments or improper supervision of junior doctors.

The incident has also raised broader concerns among the public, including allegations of fake medicines being used and government doctors running private clinics. Families of the deceased warned that such lapses must be addressed immediately to restore public trust in healthcare services.

The case of alleged medical negligence follows the death of 22-year-old Bengia Gora Ama from Kurung Kumey district during a C-section on Saturday, and the earlier death of a newborn reportedly due to incorrect treatment while en route to Dibrugarh. 

Authorities are investigating both incidents to determine accountability and prevent further tragedies.