Sonai: Boycott Calls for Dr Sambuddha Dhar Surface Amid Allegations of Medical Negligence; "They are Spreading Lies", Responds Hospital

The residents of the Sonai area of Cachar have raised strong concerns regarding alleged medical negligence at the Jeevan Jyoti Institute of Medical Sciences (JJIIMS). Recently, accusations surfaced against JJIIMS for allegedly endangering the life of Nebul Islam Laskar, the ward commissioner of Sonai Municipality, under the guise of treatment.

According to reports, Nebul Islam Laskar underwent multiple surgeries by neurospecialist Dr Sambuddha Dhar at JJIIMS. His family claims that these surgeries have pushed him towards a critical condition, necessitating his transfer to another high-standard private hospital in Guwahati for better treatment. His relatives have reported some improvement in his condition since the transfer.

On Thursday evening, Nebul’s family and well-wishers held a press conference in Sonai, where they raised several allegations against JJIIMS and Dr Sambuddha Dhar. Aulad Hussain Laskar and Ansar Hussain Barlaskar alleged that Dr Dhar’s three surgeries were unnecessary and life-threatening. In yesterday’s press conference, they said, “Why did he operate on Nebul Islam for his research? When we were to shift him to Guwahati Excel Care, they warned us not to or the consequences could be dire for the patient, but we could see the type of behaviour the doctors and hospital staff showed toward our patient and seeing that, we shifted him to Guwahati at our own risk, signing some papers. Now his condition has far improved.”

Aulad Hussain Laskar further mentioned, “When Dr Dhar came to Silchar as a neurosurgeon, the entire valley was happy, anticipating better treatments and an end to our anxiety related to strokes. But the mentality with which Dr Dhar is treating patients here is so low! I was at JJIMS for the last week, I have seen 3 to 4 dead bodies.”

Alleging that other patients of Dr Dhar had also died due to his negligence, Ansar Hussain Barlaskar said, “Badrul Islam from our Sonai area had also died at JJIMS, another patient also died from Badarpur area. This is equivalent to murder. If within one week he can murder over four patients, he should be boycotted by the entire valley. I urge the people of the valley to never go to Dr Dhar for any treatment.” They also alleged that despite being a government doctor at Silchar Medical College and Hospital, Dr Dhar spends most of his time at Jeevan Jyoti because of his greed for exorbitant amounts of cash.

They accused the hospital of neglecting patient care despite charging exorbitant fees and failing to employ qualified staff. Additionally, they claimed that when they wanted to shift the patient by road to Guwahati, the hospital staff refused to accept card payment in “Digital India” and intentionally made the discharge process lengthy.

The family members, relatives and supporters of Nebul Islam demanded a thorough investigation into these allegations. Other speakers at the press conference included Afsar Chowdhury, Rashid Ahmed Laskar, Abu Siddique Laskar, Kanika Das, and Raja Laskar, who echoed similar sentiments and urged immediate action.

In response to these allegations, JJIIMS authorities issued a statement refuting the claims. Superintendent Dr PK Das denied any wrongdoing and defended the hospital’s practices and Dr Dhar’s professional conduct. The hospital authorities also said the patient party were spreading lies. Dr PK Das wrote on JJIMS’s Facebook, “JJIIMS authorities claim that the portrayal of events on social media is a misinterpretation of facts and potentially malicious”. They warn that continued false allegations may lead to legal action for defamation. They assert confidence in the quality of care provided and advise addressing concerns directly with the hospital rather than making unsubstantiated public claims.

Those demanding actions against Dr Dhar also questioned the stand of Dr Rajdeep Roy, the former MP of Silchar who happens to be the Managing Director of the hospital.