Shillong, April 25: Activist Greneth Sangma has sought action against medical negligence of a minor by two hospitals in West Garo Hills.
In a letter addressed to the West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner on April 25, Greneth said that 11-year-old Netera Sangma died due to medical negligence.
The activist spoke directly with the child’s father, who provided a firsthand account confirming that they were callously turned away by both Tura Civil Hospital and Holy Cross Hospital. The child, suffering from a suspected case of rabies, was referred from Dadenggre CHC to Tura Civil Hospital with the expectation of receiving care, only to be refused. When her family rushed her to Holy Cross Hospital in a desperate attempt to save her life, they were met with further refusal. This series of events led to the child passing away in an ambulance while returning home
The actions of these institutions constitute a grave failure of medical duty and a direct violation of the fundamental Right to Life under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.
“By failing to provide even basic palliative care or a safe, stabilized referral, these hospitals have acted in complete disregard of their professional ethics and legal obligations, effectively abandoning a child in her final moments. Hence, I demand that this serious matter be addressed through an immediate, time-bound judicial or magisterial inquiry to determine why both Tura Civil Hospital and Holy Cross Hospital denied admission to a critically ill child. Furthermore, I demand that stern administrative action be taken against the staff and hospital administrators on duty who failed to uphold the law and their medical oath”, he said.
“Additionally, given the irreversible loss suffered by the family due to this systemic incompetence, I request that your office initiates appropriate ex-gratia compensation for the victim’s family”,the activist said.
