Monday Musing
[ Bengia Ajum ]
The events of the past month have exposed a deep faultline in Arunachal society. It all started with the unfortunate death of 22-year-old Bengia Ama Gora, a young mother who died at the Tomo Riba Institute of Health & Medical Sciences (TRIHMS) on 6 September, following a Caesarean section performed on 2 September. It was alleged that she died due to medical negligence, and both police and departmental inquiries are currently ongoing.
The death of such a young woman due to alleged medical negligence sparked statewide outrage. People across the state directed their anger towards healthcare workers, leading to relentless trolling. Some of these online attacks even called for violence and included personal attacks on doctors and nurses. A section of the local media also went into overdrive, conducting media trials with one-sided and highly provocative reporting. In fact, despite their personal tragedy, the family of Bengia Ama Gora consistently called for peace and never encouraged any form of violence.
Just as the state was witnessing intense debate and discussion about the healthcare system in the wake of her death, a fresh incident shocked the public. On 11 September, two doctors on duty in the indoor ward of TRIHMS, Dr Arvind Pusha and Dr Tam Tariang, were assaulted by one Nabam Mangha. Mangha’s family later claimed that he was driven to the extreme act out of frustration over the lack of clarity regarding the treatment of his younger sister, Nabam Yayum. Her condition had worsened after a minor surgery. However, TRIHMS authorities later clarified that she had suffered an anaphylactic reaction, a rare but severe allergic reaction to medication.
Saddened and alarmed by the attacks, healthcare workers across the state collectively decided to suspend operations in both government and private hospitals for 48 hours. This further angered sections of the public. However, following discussions with the government, the strike was eventually called off.
This entire sequence of events reveals a serious faultline in our society – one that urgently needs discussion and introspection.
Those justifying the attacks on healthcare workers should be ashamed of themselves. No amount of frustration can justify such violent behaviour in today’s times. Furthermore, the vulturous behaviour of a section of the local media, which tried to exploit this tragedy to increase viewership through media trials, is utterly condemnable. Media must engage in responsible reporting during such sensitive times and ensure fair representation of all sides. As media professionals, we must also look inward. Journalism is a serious profession and not a theatrical stage for gaining fame at the cost of creating unrest in society.
Healthcare workers, too, must do their own introspection. Too often, they appear disconnected from public sentiment. They should be open to both criticism and praise. When questioned about their ethics or behaviour, many in the profession become defensive and sometimes aggressive. This attitude only deepens the divide.
TRIHMS, Arunachal’s lone medical college, has been at the centre of this storm. Despite its shortcomings, it remains the only hope for a majority of Arunachalis who cannot afford treatment outside the state. Even though the government has invested significant funds, the infrastructure remains poor. With the recent appointment of Dr Naba Kumar Bezbaruah as the new functional director, there is hope for positive change in both service and infrastructure. Everyone should extend their full support and cooperation to Dr Bezbaruah as he takes on this crucial role.
