LNIPE Guwahati student's death sparks protest over alleged medical negligence

Guwahati: A doctor at the Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education (LNIPE) health centre allegedly repeatedly prescribed painkillers to a student who had been suffering from severe back pain for years, her roommate alleged following the student's death during treatment at a Guwahati hospital. 

The student reportedly died while undergoing treatment at Nemcare hospital on Tuesday morning. The exact cause of her death is yet to be established and is under investigation.

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Speaking to NDTV, her roommate said her friend had been suffering from severe back pain for nearly four years. She alleged the institute's doctor repeatedly prescribed painkillers, but her condition worsened.

"She was repeatedly given painkillers by the institute doctor, but her condition did not improve, and the pain kept getting worse," the roommate said, adding that she was told to get some tests done at a hospital in Sonapur. 

The allegations have prompted students to demand an independent and detailed inquiry into the treatment provided to her, the doctors who attended to her and the medical facilities available at the institute.

"We want a proper investigation into the treatment she received, the doctors who attended to her, and the medical facilities available. Whoever is found responsible must face action," the roommate said. 

According to fellow students, she had been unwell for a week and was suffering from abdominal pain. Reports said she was shifted to the Sonapur District Hospital on September 4, where doctors referred her to a private hospital. However, treatment during the critical period was reportedly delayed due to the pending approval from the LNIPE health centre.

She was subsequently referred to Nemcare Hospital, where she breathed her last on September 8. 

The student's death has triggered protests at the LNIPE's main campus in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. Around 600 students staged a sit-in on Wednesday evening, protesting what they described as medical negligence at the Guwahati campus health centre.

The protesters have also demanded Rs 50 lakh in compensation for the deceased student's family.

An LNIPE student participating in the protest said, "The deceased student was given so many painkillers that her appendix ruptured, causing an infection to spread to her internal organs; consequently, she died before she could even reach the hospital”, reports ETV Bharat.

He also criticised the institute's response, saying that instead of taking action against those responsible and providing adequate compensation, the university management had highlighted the collection of Rs 1 lakh by students and teachers at the Guwahati campus to support the family.

"But does this sum of Rs 1 lakh really matter?" he asked. "The aggrieved family should be provided financial assistance of at least Rs 50 lakh. Protests will continue in both Guwahati and Gwalior until the student receives justice," he said.

The student's mother has also questioned the manner in which the family was informed about her deteriorating condition.

According to her, the institute did not adequately inform the family about the seriousness of the situation. She said her daughter herself called from the hospital and told her that she was very unwell.

The mother alleged that when she contacted the institute, she was told that her daughter was doing fine and that doctors were attending to her. However, upon reaching the hospital, she said she was shocked by her daughter's condition.

The vice chancellor met the protesting students and spoke to the deceased student’s parents on Wednesday night. "We had informed the police about the circumstances under which the death took place. The postmortem was also done. We will follow protocol," LNIPE dean Shankarjyoti Basumatary said, reports NDTV.

Basumatary said an inquiry into the matter was underway and that the doctors involved had been immediately removed.

"The student's death is tragic, but all possible assistance is being provided; the institute has borne the entire cost of her treatment. Efforts are also being made to counsel the students," he said.

Meanwhile, the institute's chief warden has been suspended.

The institute has not yet issued a detailed response to the allegations concerning the student's treatment or the manner in which her family was informed about her medical condition.

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