Dhamtari district: Anger erupted in the Borai area of Dhamtari district after a critically injured man died allegedly due to the absence of doctors and medical staff at the local civil hospital during night hours. Following the incident, villagers staged an overnight sit-in protest outside the hospital, accusing the health department of gross negligence.
According to local sources, the incident occurred late Sunday night on the Borai–Ghutkel road, where a man was seriously injured in a road accident and found unconscious on the roadside. After being alerted, Borai police and local residents rushed the victim to Borai Civil Hospital for emergency treatment.
However, upon reaching the hospital, they reportedly found no doctor, nurse, or supporting staff on duty. Despite repeated phone calls to concerned officials, no immediate medical assistance was provided. The injured man succumbed to his injuries soon after.
Villagers Hold Protest, Demand Accountability
Outraged by the incident, residents of the Borai region gathered outside the hospital’s main gate and staged a protest throughout the night, raising slogans and demanding accountability. Protesters alleged that the victim could have survived if timely medical care had been available.
Former District Panchayat member Manoj Sakshi criticized the state of healthcare services, saying that the hospital holds the status of a civil hospital only on paper. “If doctors are not available even in emergencies, where will the common people go? Emergency services here exist only in documents,” he said.
Demand for 24-Hour Medical Services
Villagers also claimed that inadequate healthcare facilities in the area have been a long-standing issue. They stated that despite several complaints and protests in the past, no substantial improvements have been made. Protesters warned that their agitation would continue until doctors are deployed round-the-clock and clear responsibility is fixed.
Collector Assures Action
After the protest intensified, ETV Bharat contacted Abinash Mishra, the District Collector of Dhamtari. Responding to the incident, Mishra said that the matter would be investigated and strict action would be taken against those found responsible.
The incident has once again raised serious questions about the availability of emergency healthcare services in rural areas and the accountability of public health institutions in the state.