Condemning the doctors for the recent incident in which a patient died after he was allegedly declined treatment, the All Manipur Muslim Students' Organisation (AMMSO) has appealed to the authority concerned to take befitting action against the erring doctors in the case.

The organisation in a release warned of taking various forms of agitations with the help of the public and civil voluntary organisations if the authorities fail to take action.

Md Iqbal, 35, son of Abdul Ajij from Lilong Haoreibi Makha Leikai, who suffered ill health, passed away while trying to get admitted in a hospital for treatment, it said.

The organisation stated that Iqbal received first aid from a private hospital, and was brought to the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) for treatment. But the doctors denied him any treatment on mere suspicion that he may be a COVID-19 patient, the release alleged.

The JNIMS authority referred the victim to Lamyanba Hospital, it said, adding the patient’s family received the same response even at the same hospital and the patient was further referred to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), it added.

Even at RIMS, the patient was denied any form of treatment, it alleged. From there again, the patient was brought to JNIMS but he died on his way to JNIMS, it added.

The attitude shown by “irresponsible doctors” is highly condemnable and inhumane, the release stated. The authority concerned should take immediate action against those doctors who are involved in the case, the release stated.

The organisation said that the government is taking up various measures to save lives amid the pandemic. But neglecting those people who have acute diseases is very unfortunate, it added.

It also stated that people of Thoubal are being stigmatised due to the increase in the spread of COVID-19 in the district. Such discriminatory action may create many untoward incidents, the release stated, adding the state government must take appropriate action.