News Reporter
Diphu Medical College warned of urgent surgery need; GMC staff refused help citing Eid and Sunday holiday.
Manja, Karbi Anglong, Assam:
In a tragic example of medical negligence and systemic failure, a 14-year-old boy from Manja, Karbi Anglong lost his leg after doctors at Gauhati Medical College & Hospital (GMC) allegedly refused to operate in an emergency—citing Eid holidays and leave sanctioned by CM Himanta Biswa Sarma.
The boy, now undergoing post-operative care at Dimapur, had to be shifted in critical condition after GMC denied timely surgical treatment, leading to amputation of the leg—a devastating consequence that has shattered his family and exposed deep flaws in Assam’s emergency healthcare system.
The Timeline of Negligence:
- Friday, June 7 | 1:30 PM: The boy meets with a serious road accident on the Manja–Longnit road.
- He is rushed to Diphu Medical College, where doctors diagnose a vascular leg injury requiring surgery within 12 hours. Doctor reportedly said:
“Operate now, or the leg will be lost.”
- Due to limitations, Diphu refers the patient to GMC Guwahati, considered Assam's top medical facility.
- Saturday Morning: The family reaches GMC, but is made to run from the superintendent’s office to multiple departments, with no doctor attending.
- The GMC staff, instead of acting urgently, allegedly respond:
“It’s Eid. Tomorrow is Sunday. We can’t do anything. Even CM Himanta Biswa Sarma has given us holiday.”
Result: Leg Amputated in Dimapur Hospital
With no action from GMC, the boy’s condition worsened. Desperate, the family took him to Nicos Hospital, Dimapur, where doctors had no option but to amputate the leg to save his life.
Speaking to reporters in tears, the boy’s father, Aponan Langthasa, said:
“They didn’t treat my son because we are poor. They only enjoy tea and biscuits in AC rooms while we were crying outside. This government only launches schemes but doesn’t work. GMC doctors should be in jail. In emergency, they should have come forward—not enjoy Eid.”
Why This Matters:
- GMC, being Assam’s flagship government hospital, is expected to provide emergency care 24x7, regardless of holidays.
- The holiday excuse in a life-or-death case is not just unethical—it’s criminal, say legal experts.
- Poor tribal families, like the Langthasas, often face this silent discrimination in urban healthcare systems.
Public Demands:
- Immediate action from CM Himanta Biswa Sarma against the negligent doctors and staff.
- A state-level investigation into how emergency referrals are handled during holidays.
- Compensation and justice for the victim’s family.
This heartbreaking incident isn’t just about a lost leg. It’s about a broken system, where holidays are honored more than human life, and the poor are left unheard—even in the face of life-altering emergencies.
If you or someone you know has faced similar medical negligence, contact us or share your story with #GMCNegligence.