The alarming state of Khowai District Hospital was laid bare on Saturday after a deeply disturbing incident involving the prolonged neglect of a deceased patient.
The body of an unidentified man, who had passed away around 9 a.m., remained unattended on a hospital bed for over nine hours, releasing a stench that caused panic and discomfort among other patients. Some patients even considered leaving the hospital premises due to the unbearable smell.
The deceased, a semi-naked man found at a rest shelter near the hospital, had been admitted to Khowai District Hospital several days ago by concerned citizens. He was provided with treatment for his critical condition, but tragically, he succumbed to his ailments on Saturday morning. Despite his death, the body remained in the ward, exposing glaring lapses in hospital management and protocol adherence.
The incident drew attention only after media personnel arrived at the hospital in the evening, triggering frantic efforts by the medical staff to address the situation. Until that point, there had been no action to remove the body or manage the situation, leaving patients and their families in distress.
Medical Superintendent Dr. Mridul Das, who had initially admitted the patient, was reportedly on personal leave at the time of the incident. His absence, coupled with inadequate administrative oversight, has been blamed for the mishandling of the situation.
The incident, which culminated in the body still being on the hospital bed at 6:30 p.m., has sparked widespread outrage and raised serious concerns about the hospital’s management, infrastructure, and ability to maintain basic healthcare standards. Residents and civic groups have demanded an immediate investigation and strict measures to prevent such negligence in the future.
