Protest at Assam Health Centre after pregnant woman's death, Rs 10 lakh compensation sought

Boko: Bir Lachit Sena has staged a protest at the Boko Block Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Assam, alleging medical negligence in the death of a pregnant woman on October 3. The organisation has demanded Rs 10 lakh compensation for her family and called for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.

The organisation alleged that lapses in treatment led to the woman’s death and claimed that her family had not received medical records related to her care. It also urged Assam Health Minister Ashok Singhal to visit the family and ensure that the allegations are investigated. The committee further said it would bear the future expenses of the deceased woman’s child.

Responding to the protest, the deputy superintendent of the health centre said the woman was referred to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) after her condition deteriorated. She later died while receiving treatment there. The Kamrup District Health Department has initiated an inquiry, and action will be taken if negligence by any doctor or healthcare worker is established, India Today reported.

The protest also raised concerns over an earlier incident involving the committee president’s family. He alleged that his wife suffered a medical emergency on September 12 due to negligence at the health centre. He said he took her to a nearby private hospital in critical condition, where doctors saved the lives of his wife and newborn child.

He further claimed that he filed a written complaint at Boko Police Station on September 13, but no action had been taken. The organisation has urged the local MLA from the Boko-Chaygaon constituency to intervene and seek an inquiry into the alleged lapses at the facility.

Bir Lachit Sena Assam also accused some doctors at the health centre of referring patients to private hospitals for childbirth and then performing surgical procedures at those facilities for financial gain. The organisation named three doctors in its allegations and objected to their reported private practice while serving in government healthcare.

The health centre’s deputy superintendent asked the protesters to submit a written complaint with supporting evidence so that the allegations concerning private practice could be examined under government rules.

The allegations of negligence, corruption and misconduct remain unverified. The district health department’s inquiry is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death and determine whether any medical or administrative lapses occurred.