Students of the Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education (LNIPE) in Sonapur, Assam, staged a protest on Tuesday following the death of a third-year student ‘Shruti Upadhyay after she fell ill on campus.
The protesters questioned the medical treatment provided to Shruti Upadhyay and alleged negligence on the part of the institute’s authorities. They also demanded an impartial inquiry into the circumstances surrounding her illness, treatment and subsequent death.
Shruti Upadhyay Fell Ill on September 4
According to fellow students, Shruti complained of abdominal pain on September 4. She reportedly remained unwell for the next two days and was initially given medication to treat the pain.
As her condition deteriorated, she was taken to Sonapur district hospital for further treatment.
Students said Shruti later developed difficulty passing urine, following which she required additional medical attention.
Shruti Upadhyay Referred to Guwahati Hospital
Shruti was subsequently referred to Nemcare Hospital in Guwahati.
According to students, doctors at the hospital found that her appendix had ruptured, resulting in severe pain. However, the exact medical cause of her death has not been officially confirmed.
Shruti later died at Nemcare Hospital, according to sources.
Students Question Medical Facilities
Her death prompted a large number of students to gather at the institute’s campus on Tuesday. The protesters demanded an investigation into what happened from the time Shruti first reported abdominal pain until she was taken to hospital.
Students also raised concerns about the medical facilities available at the residential institute.
They alleged that the college does not have a full-time permanent doctor and that medical personnel are available only during specified hours.
Students Demand Impartial Investigation
The protesters are seeking an impartial investigation into the treatment Shruti received after falling ill.
They have also called for an examination of whether there was any delay in referring her to a hospital and the circumstances surrounding her eventual admission to Nemcare Hospital.
The students said an investigation should establish the sequence of events and determine whether any lapse occurred in the medical care provided to Shruti.
