District Administration Responds to Dialysis Tragedy with Inquiry and Job Assistance

KalimNews, September 26, 2024, Kalimpong : In the wake of the tragic death of Sunil Prasad (51), a videographer for Ekta TV and a member of the Journalist Association of Kalimpong, during a dialysis session at the Kalimpong District Hospital on September 25, 2024, the district administration has approved a judicial inquiry into the incident. The approval comes amidst growing demands for accountability and job assistance for Prasad’s family.

The district administration emphasized the necessity of an autopsy as a preliminary part of the investigation; however, Prasad's wife, Sahara Prasad (Chhetri), has declined permission for the procedure and has taken custody of the body for the funeral.

In response to the incident, the district administration announced plans to explore employment opportunities for one of Prasad’s dependents, tailored to their educational qualifications. Additionally, the dialysis unit will be temporarily closed until all technical and operational issues are resolved. Officials have assured that adequate staffing—including security personnel, nursing staff, and sweepers—will be provided to ensure safety and efficiency in the unit. Arrangements will also be made for periodical visits from a nephrologist.

Suman Mazumder, SDO of Kalimpong, and Pritam Limboo, SPL LAO, expressed their heartfelt condolences to Sahara Prasad and the bereaved family, highlighting the personal outreach made by the District Magistrate. Dr. Supriyo Mitra, CMOH Kalimpong, also extended his sympathies during a press briefing. SDO Mazumder stated that, according to hospital records, there was no shortage of water at the time of the incident, indicating that further investigation is necessary to uncover the circumstances surrounding Prasad’s death.

The district administration, in collaboration with government officials, will conduct a thorough inquiry to identify any failures or lapses and implement corrective measures for the enhancement of the dialysis center’s operations. In the interim, hospital authorities confirmed that all patients requiring dialysis will be referred to NBMCH in Siliguri during the unit's closure.

Family sources have announced that Sunil Prasad’s funeral will take place on September 27, 2024, at 10 AM, with cremation scheduled at Tripai. As the community mourns the loss of a dedicated journalist, calls for justice and accountability continue to grow.

The Kalimpong Press Club has expressed deep condolences on the passing of journalist Sunil Prasad. He was once a key contributor and associate of the club's daily news channel "Dainandini." The community has acknowledged the significant impact of Prasad’s journalism in the region and shared their agreement on the loss felt. The club further noted that he was a skilled videographer and a good video editor, having also done some rare videography. His untimely death is seen as a major loss to the journalism world. Prasad leaves behind his wife, Sahara Chhetri, and sons, Ujjwal and Raunak.

Today, the Kalimpong Press Club and the Eastern Himalayan Journalist Union presented a memorandum to local district commissioner Balasubramanian T, recalling Prasad's tragic death during a dialysis session and demanding a thorough and extensive investigation into the allegations and shortcomings of the dialysis unit. Both organizations emphasized the need for comprehensive health and judicial inquiries to identify the causes of this unfortunate incident. They stated that if anyone is found responsible, appropriate punishment must be administered.

Additionally, both journalistic organizations have called for immediate improvements in the dialysis unit to prevent such tragic events from recurring. The memorandum highlighted the necessity for the administration to ensure that patients receive all the resources and facilities needed for safe and effective treatment.

Both organizations believe that positive initiatives from all parties are essential for health service reforms and to prevent similar incidents in the future. They stressed that despite the existence of a health department and the hospital’s own administration, intervention from the administration is necessary when circumstances like those arising from journalist Prasad's death occur.