Co-founder and managing director of the Blind Lead Trust, Jitendra Dkhar has complained to the Commissioner of Persons with Disability the discrimination and mistreatment he faced at the Ganesh Das Hospital.
According to Dkhar, he was subjected to discriminatory behaviour from several hospital staff members, including doctors and security personnel when he had accompanied his wife, Ridahun Lyngdoh, for a medical procedure on September 9.
He said that he was treated with disrespect and condescension due to his visual impairment. “My inquiries regarding my wife’s condition were dismissed, and I was made to feel as though my concerns were insignificant. Additionally, I was physically assaulted by a security guard, who pushed me forcefully,” he stated.
He said that the treatment he received at the government-run hospital was a clear violation of his rights as a person with disabilities. “I believe that such discriminatory practices are unacceptable and must be addressed promptly. I am requesting your urgent intervention in this matter. I urge you to investigate the incident and take appropriate action against the individuals involved,” he said in the complaint.
He also urged the commissioner to ensure that the hospital implements measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Speaking to Highland Post, Dkhar rue that the hospital staff should have shown some consideration towards a blind person like him, who was only concerned about his wife’s safety and health conditions.
“They keep saying that I was not the patient, but I keep telling them that my wife is my responsibility,” he said.
Dkhar, however, said that he was thankful to some doctors who were polite but there are those he came in contact with who were rude. “They called me names for being blind and a fool moving around the institution,” he lamented.
“I feel that every health institution should be equipped with staff to assist PWD people like us or have special OPDs like in the private health institutions,” he said, adding, “It is high time that staff in health institutions be given proper training on behaviour and clear communication skills.”
