Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 07 July 2024
Fishermen Welfare Association of Andaman and Nicobar Islands has urgently called for a high-level inquiry into the death of Vimala, a 22-year-old resident of Junglighat Fishermen Colony. Vimala tragically passed away yesterday at G.B. Pant Hospital, where she was being treated for fever.
In response to the outcry, the Director of ANIIMS has issued a formal assurance to the General Secretary of the Fishermen Welfare Association. The letter confirms that the State Medical Negligence Committee will conduct a thorough investigation into Vimala’s cause of death and submit a detailed report to the appropriate authorities. The Director has guaranteed that necessary actions will be taken against those found responsible for any negligence.
Moreover, the fishermen community has been reassured that there will be adequate representation of the Telugu community and senior doctors in permanent positions within the investigation process.
The Director has also sent a request to INHS Dhanvantri to depute a Doctor to witness Vimala’s post-mortem examination scheduled for 8th July 2024.
Previously, the Fishermen Welfare Association had demanded that the post-mortem be conducted by defence doctors and called for the establishment of a medical board comprising permanent senior doctors, defence doctors, and representatives from the Telugu community, to investigate the allegation of medical negligence.