21-year-old Manipur woman dies after allegedly denied treatment by hospitals

On August 6, there was a similar instance in which a pregnant woman died

Despite the Manipur government's instructions to treat all patients, hospitals continue to flout rules. Representational image

A young woman died on Monday morning allegedly after hospitals here denied her treatment, despite government instructions not to deny treatment to any patient.

Sandhya Laishram, 21, of Wangjing Wangkhei in Thoubal district experienced excessive bleeding during menstruation. A local nurse gave her some basic medical aid. As this did not give her relief, she was rushed to a private hospital here on Monday evening. The staff informed the family members that no emergency case was being accepted.

Also read: Experts speak | Non-COVID-19 emergencies in pandemic times

She was then taken to another private hospital where the staff refused admission saying “there is no doctor”. When she was taken to the Shija hospital, doctors told the family members that she was brought dead. 

No official action yet

So far, no official action has been initiated against the hospitals for flouting the instructions. 

A similar case of negligence and dereliction of duty in some government and private hospitals led to the death of a pregnant woman on August 6. She was rushed to some hospitals only to be denied treatment on flimsy grounds. When she was taken to the Shija hospital, she reportedly died at the gate of the hospital. The same day, the Manipur government issued fresh instructions to all hospitals to treat all patients coming for treatment.

With the death of a 60 year-old-man on Tuesday morning, the toll due to COVID-19 has risen to 12. Official sources said the patient had also complications like diabetes and high blood pressure; he had contracted the infection recently. He had been under treatment in the JN Institute of Medical Sciences, Porompat in Imphal east district. 

MLA contracts infection

 Manipur remains under curfew and total lockdown. The police say several young persons have been violating the curfew restrictions and a huge amount is collected as fine daily. Police officials in the Imphal East and the Imphal West district say they will continue to intercept those who violate the curfew restrictions.

The pandemic is spreading rapidly in most parts of Manipur. For the first time, an MLA from Thoubal district had contracted it.