Silchar: Patient Dies at South City Hospital, Family Alleges Negligence; Hospital Denies

Tension broke out at South City Hospital in Silchar on Sunday (11 October) night following the death of a patient, Samir Uddin Laskar of Kashipur in Cachar. The patient’s family accused the hospital authorities and staff of failing to inform them about his condition and alleged that he may have died hours before they were allowed to see him. However, the hospital has denied the allegations, claiming that the family had been informed about the patient’s critical condition and had refused ventilator support.

According to the patient’s brother, Samir had diabetes and had consulted a doctor on Wednesday. The doctor had reportedly advised the family to admit him to hospital if his condition did not improve. As his health continued to deteriorate, the family brought him to South City Hospital on Sunday at around 7 am.

The brother clarified that the family did not blame the doctor, stating that the doctor had only asked them to arrange blood for the patient. According to the family, they immediately began looking for a blood donor and managed to arrange blood. However, they alleged that hospital staff did not provide them with the necessary slip or document required to submit the blood. The family claimed that they received the document only at around 4 pm, following which they could bring the blood to the hospital.

The family further alleged that hospital staff informed them that Samir’s condition was critical and advised ventilator support. They claimed that they requested the hospital to discharge him so that they could take him elsewhere for treatment, but their request was not accepted.

According to the brother, the family suspected that Samir had already died by around 4.30 pm. He alleged that they repeatedly requested permission to enter the ICU and speak to the patient one last time, but were not allowed to do so. The family also claimed that they wanted to shift him to Silchar Medical College and Hospital, but alleged that the hospital did not agree to their request.

The situation escalated when family members eventually entered the ICU and found Samir unresponsive, which they believed meant he had died. The brother alleged that a hospital staff member administered the blood they had brought even after they realised the patient’s condition. He claimed that staff continued to tell them that there was still a chance of saving him.

The family also alleged that the hospital had asked them to purchase large quantities of medicines, raising suspicions that the hospital was attempting to increase the bill.

South City Hospital has rejected the family’s allegations. In its official statement issued on Monday, 12 October, the hospital said Samir was admitted on the morning of 11 October and that his attendants had been informed about the critical nature of his condition and the associated medical risks.

The hospital stated that the treating team had advised ventilator support, but the patient’s family declined it. According to the hospital, the refusal was recorded in the relevant documentation. It also claimed that the family was informed again in the afternoon about the deterioration in his condition and the possibility of an adverse outcome at any time.

Speaking to Barak Bulletin, a hospital official reiterated that the family had been informed about the patient’s condition and maintained that the hospital had documentary evidence, including a signed form recording the refusal of ventilator support.

Regarding access to the ICU, the hospital said the family had been allowed to enter on one occasion. However, it maintained that further entry by multiple people was restricted due to the presence of other critically ill patients, infection-control requirements and patient privacy.

The hospital further alleged that some family members entered the ICU against staff instructions while doctors were performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), disrupting their efforts to continue the procedure. It also claimed that hospital equipment used for patient care was damaged during the incident.

The hospital official additionally suggested that the escalation could have involved deliberate instigation by someone from outside the family. No evidence supporting this allegation has been independently established.

The hospital said it had preserved relevant medical records, consent forms and available CCTV footage. It also stated that the police were called to control the situation and that a patient’s attendant subsequently submitted a written apology for the misconduct.

The incident has raised conflicting allegations from the patient’s family and the hospital management. While the family has demanded accountability over the circumstances surrounding Samir’s death, the hospital has maintained that its actions were guided by the patient’s medical condition and the need to ensure safety within the ICU.