Doomdooma: Congress candidate and former MLA Durga Bhumij on Sunday launched a scathing attack on Assam’s healthcare system, alleging that hospitals, particularly in tea garden areas, have descended into “chaos” ahead of the Assembly elections. Addressing a press conference, Bhumij claimed that patients are being “shuttled endlessly” between hospitals without receiving even basic treatment, pointing to what he described as a complete collapse of public health services in Upper Assam’s tea belt. “The health system is in tatters. Whether it is a tea garden hospital or a government hospital, patients are simply being referred elsewhere,” he said, accusing authorities of failing people in critical situations.
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He further stated that the crisis has worsened due to non-functional infrastructure, shortage of medical staff, and lack of essential facilities, forcing critically ill patients to travel long distances for treatment. Bhumij blamed successive governments for neglecting healthcare in tea-growing regions, calling it a deep-rooted systemic failure. The press meet was attended by Subhash Sahu and district Congress leaders, who supported his demand for urgent reforms.
Bhumij asserted that the Indian National Congress would revamp the healthcare system if voted to power, promising accessible and reliable services at the grassroots level. Doomdooma, located in Tinsukia district, is a key constituency with a significant population of tea garden workers from Adivasi communities. The seat is set for a contest between Bhumij and BJP MLA Rupesh Gowala. Polling for the 126-member Assam Assembly is scheduled for April 9, with counting on May 4.
