Demonstrators Storm Premises, Demand Action for Alleged Medical Negligence
Munish Sood
Mandi
A massive public protest erupted at the Regional Hospital in Kullu on Saturday following the alleged medical negligence that led to the d*eath of a 23-year-old woman shortly after childbirth. Hundreds of protesters, led by social activist Bunty Saraji and supported by residents from Seraj in Mandi district as well as local citizens, marched through Kullu town before converging on the hospital premises, demanding strict action against those responsible.
The situation turned tense when hospital security personnel attempted to prevent the protesters from entering by locking the main gate. However, the agitated crowd pushed through the barricades and entered the hospital campus, where they staged a sit-in outside the office of senior doctors while demanding the immediate presence of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO).
Earlier in the day, demonstrators assembled at Dhalpur Chowk, where they burnt an effigy of Himachal Pradesh Health Minister Dhani Ram Shandil. Protesters raised slogans against the state government, the Health Department and the district administration, accusing them of failing to ensure accountability in the public healthcare system.
The protest stems from the death of Manju Sharma, a resident of Bali Chowki in Mandi district’s Seraj subdivision, who died after delivering a baby at the Regional Hospital, Kullu, last week. The tragic incident has sparked widespread outrage, with the bereaved family alleging gross negligence on the part of hospital staff, particularly nursing personnel.
According to the victim’s brother, Dinesh Sharma, Manju repeatedly complained of severe discomfort following the delivery, but her deteriorating condition was allegedly ignored by the hospital staff. He claimed that nurses dismissed her complaints, repeatedly telling the family that the patient was merely “acting” and that there was nothing seriously wrong with her.
The family further alleged that despite her condition worsening throughout the day, she was not provided timely medical attention or special monitoring. They also questioned the hospital administration for failing to clearly explain the exact cause of her death even several days after the incident.
Leading the protest, Bunty Saraji clarified that the agitation was not directed against the entire medical fraternity but against those whose alleged negligence may have contributed to the young mother’s death.
“We are not against doctors or healthcare workers. Our demand is simple—those who were negligent in performing their duty must be held accountable. We have been seeking justice since the incident occurred,” he said while addressing the gathering.
Inside the hospital, protesters confronted a senior doctor over his earlier remarks regarding the case. The doctor reportedly apologised after facing public criticism, but the demonstrators refused to withdraw their protest, insisting that senior health officials, including the CMO, visit the spot and provide assurances of a fair investigation.
The hospital premises echoed with slogans demanding justice for the deceased, as protesters vowed to continue their agitation until concrete action is taken against the officials found responsible.
The bereaved family has demanded an impartial and time-bound inquiry into the incident and strict legal and departmental action against the guilty. They have also announced their intention to raise the matter before the Chief Minister and, if necessary, seek judicial intervention to secure justice.
The incident has once again raised serious questions over accountability in government healthcare institutions and the quality of postnatal care being provided in public hospitals. As the protest continued inside the Regional Hospital, district authorities remained engaged in efforts to pacify the demonstrators, while public pressure mounted for a transparent investigation into the young mother’s d*eath.
