DERGAON, July 28 � At time when serious diseases like Japanese Encephalitis etc., are creating a havoc in the State, a hospital has not been providing any service to the patients since the last ten days. The Dusutimukh hospital situated at a flood- prone area to the north of Dergaon town is running without service since July 19.
According to information, one Rupali Moran (32) of Selekgaon near the hospital was admitted for delivery on July 19. Dr R Kumar treated the woman she later delivered a child. But due to some critical situation, the bleeding could not be stopped by the doctor and so he referred the patient to Jorhat Medical Hospital. But the family members took the patient there on the next day and finally the patient died on July 20. A section of the villagers of Pathari and Selekgaon along with the relatives of Rupali vandalised the hospital compound and damaged the hospital building along with some official documents etc., and also assaulted the doctors. Police later picked up Pabitra Pegu, Ronoj Moran, Ajoy Morang, Dibya Chuli, Monoj Mili, Poresh Moran, Birendra Mili and Bubai Mili of No. 2 Pathari and Selekgaon and investigation is going on.
The doctors felt insecure after the assault and they were adjusted in other hospitals. But at present the hospital is closed as there is no doctor. As a result the hospital which caters to more than 50,000 people of the flood-affected areas like Dusutimukh, Pathari, Gulung, Temera, Selek etc., is not functioning.
When contacted the Joint Director of Health Services, Golaghat, Dr A Borthakur opined that as the doctors were assaulted and hospital building was damaged so no doctor is willing to join at the hospital. On the other hand, an allegation has been levelled against the Joint Director of Health Services that the ambulance allotted for the hospital way back in 2008 was taken by the office on the ground that the bridge over the Dhansiri river was in a bad condition. But the present bridge is an RCC one and so the ambulance should be returned to the hospital. When contacted the Joint Director denied that the ambulance was with his office. He also denied the fact of allotment of an ambulance to the hospital. However, a source revealed the vehicle used by the Joint Director himself is an ambulance.
The villagers of Dusutimukh organised a meeting with the gaonburah Sachidhar Pegu in the chair on July 20 and adopted a resolution to provide proper security to the doctors and urged the authority to send doctors to the hospital. �Unlawful activities cannot be supported, the guilty must be punished and compensation by the guilty must be paid�, M Medak, a resident of Dusutimukh opined.
