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Members of AMRI Fire Victim Association have decided to put up a platform for victims of medical negligence. “Our forum was put up to air the grievances of the AMRI fire victims but now we have tried to take it further to people who have been victims of medical negligence,” said president of the association Paromita Guhathakurta on the sidelines of an event on the third anniversary of the fire at AMRI Hospitals. The fire in Dhakuria had claimed 92 lives.
“We will contact the person accused of negligence, the respective ministry, police and also provide the complainant with legal help if need be,” said Sandeep Chakraborty, a member of the association who lost his wife in the AMRI mishap. He said that besides creating a Facebook page, they are also resorting to publicity by word of mouth, camps and leaflets to reach remote areas of the state.
A blood donation camp and a lung check up camp was put up to on the occasion. Over 50 members of the association who had, in one way or the other, lost a dear one in the fire, were present at the event.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the state government Chakraborty said, “The government had come to power in May 2011 and the incident happened in December that year. The state government had been pro-active in dealing with the case but as time progressed, the enthusiasm of the government fizzled out and now, ironically, even as we await justice after filing a case against 16 persons, including the 11 who were directors of the hospital, all we are getting are dates whereas the hospital has got clearance from fire department to reopen.”
State Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim was also present at the event and offered his solidarity. Members of the association told him that the six persons who were promised employment by the government, were yet to get jobs. “We have also asked him to see that a speedy trial can be done. He gave us a diplomatic reply that he was not looking into the matter but also asked for the details of the six persons who had been assured jobs,” said another senior association member.