Family protests, patient dies hours after gallbladder operation at private nursing home in Dhalai

Tension erupted following the death of a patient due to medical negligence just hours after undergoing a gallbladder operation at a private nursing home in Kulai area Ambassa under Dhalai district on Wednesday.

The incident led to protests by the patient’s family members, prompting a large police presence from police forces to prevent any untoward situation.

Sources said that  the deceased has been identified as Bhabatosh Debbarma, a 62-year-old retired teacher from Maharani area under Salema block of Dhalai district. He was admitted to the private ‘Dhalai nursing home’ in Kulai for a gallbladder stone operation. The surgery was conducted on Monday  night( March 30).

Family sources stated that the patient was initially stable after the operation. However, later on Tuesday night, he complained of chest pain. Doctors and nursing staff administered necessary medications, but his condition did not improve. Despite several efforts, he passed away on Wednesday (April 1), when nursing home authorities shifted him to Dhalai district hospital at the last minute.

The deceased’s wife, Shyamali Debbarma, along with other family members, alleged that negligence by the doctors and nursing staff led to his death.

When contacted, the nursing home authorities stated that the facility had been operational for only two months and had already conducted several surgeries successfully. They claimed that proper care was provided to every patient and expressed regret over the unfortunate incident. According to the attending doctor, there were no complications during the surgery, and the patient was stable for nearly a day after the procedure. The death was reportedly due to a sudden cardiac arrest. But, the deceased family rejected the submission of nursing home authorities and claimed that their patient died to gross negligence by medical staff of the nursing home and they did not take any emergency efforts to protect the life of Bhabatosh Debbarma.

Following demands from the family, later, under police protection the body of the deceased man has been sent to Dhalai District Hospital for post-mortem examination.

Police sources said that the exact cause of death will be confirmed after the autopsy report and based on the report, they will take necessary legal steps.

It may be recalled here that on Monday night three more gallbladder surgeries were performed at the same nursing home, and those patients are currently in stable conditions.