The Nongalbibra unit of the Garo Students’ Union (GSU) of South Garo Hills has accused doctors of Pathargittim Public Health Centre of negligence after their absence from the health centre supposedly led to the death of one accident victim.
The other accident victim is still in a critical condition in Williamnagar Civil Hospital.
According to reports, a vehicle lost control on National Highway 62 near the PHC and fell into a ravine at around 5pm yesterday. Locals sprung into action, pulled the two from the wreckage and rushed them to the PHC.
“When we reached the hospital with the victims, we were shocked to find that both resident doctors had gone on leave. We don’t know how both their leaves were approved at the same time. The patients were in bad shape and there was no doctor to treat them,” said Sewa Marak, the GSU unit President.
The casualties were identified as Bitash K Sangma (60) and Jabi M Sangma (65). They had both suffered extensive injuries in the accident.
The PHC was not equipped with an ambulance either, so the injured had to wait for three hours before one could travel to Pathargittim to fetch them. This, Marak said, “led to the death of one of the victims which could have been avoided through early intervention and treatment.”
Shockingly, the District Medical and Health Officer said that it is doubtful anything more could have been done at the PHC for the accident victims because of a lack of resources at the facility.
“I have also been informing them not to go without one being on duty. They may have presumed that nothing would happen and took a break. They are back today. The head nurse on duty ensured first aid before referring the case to Williamnagar, the closest point for the PHC,” informed the DMHO.
