Editor,
I write this letter with a heavy heart, as a citizen deeply disturbed by the recent tragic incident at the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Hospital in Jowai, where a young mother, and her unborn child lost their lives—lives that could have been saved. This is not just another case of medical mishap; this is a glaring case of gross negligence and carelessness by those entrusted with the sacred duty to heal and protect.
Sadly, this is not the first time MCH Jowai has come under scrutiny. In just two years of its existence, there have been two reported incidents where surgical cloth was left inside mothers’ bodies after childbirth operations. These are not small oversights—they are life-threatening errors that point to a deeply flawed system of medical practice within the hospital.
What is equally alarming is the indifferent and often rude attitude of doctors and nurses in many of our government hospitals. Patients—especially in rural and low-income areas—are made to feel like burdens. Medical professionals, instead of serving with empathy, often act as though they are doing a favour by simply showing up. This culture of arrogance must end.
Moreover, the excuse of being “understaffed” rings hollow when the same doctors have the time to run private clinics both in the morning and evening, while reporting late to government duty and leaving early. This is a blatant misuse of government time and a betrayal of public trust.
The district administration has now formed a committee to investigate the recent death at MCH Jowai. Shockingly, this committee comprises three doctors from the same department as the one allegedly responsible. How can we expect an impartial inquiry when those investigating are colleagues of the person in question? This is not justice. This is protectionism. The government must reconstitute the committee with independent medical professionals and legal experts, so that the truth can come out and those responsible are held accountable.
We must ask: how many more mothers must die before we take this seriously?
It is high time the Government of Meghalaya takes strict disciplinary and legal action against negligent medical staff—not just to punish, but to set a precedent that such behaviour will not be tolerated in our healthcare system. Doctors and nurses must remember that their profession is not a privilege, it is a responsibility.
R. Passah
Jowai
Via e-mail
