Patna : Abhinav Pandey, a second-year medical student at the government-run Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) in Patna, died on Thursday at a private hospital, allegedly after being denied admission and treatment at his own medical college following a road accident. His death has sparked widespread student protests and political outrage.
The Incident
Abhinav sustained injuries after crashing his motorcycle into a road divider earlier this week. According to fellow students, he returned to IGIMS in need of medical attention but was allegedly not provided a hospital bed. With no other option, students rushed him to Paras Hospital, a private facility.
“His condition was stable on the first day, but it started deteriorating later. He passed away despite efforts to save him,” said a fellow student who wished to remain anonymous.
Protests Erupt at IGIMS
Following Abhinav’s death, students gathered at IGIMS, staging a protest demanding accountability and improved emergency treatment protocols. They expressed deep anguish over the apathy shown by the hospital authorities, especially since Abhinav was one of their own.
Police reached the campus to control the situation but stated that no formal complaint had been filed as of yet.
“We are aware of the incident and have visited the premises. Until a written complaint is submitted, we cannot initiate an official inquiry,” a police officer told PTI on the condition of anonymity.
Political Reaction
The incident has attracted political attention, with Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar criticizing the Bihar government.
“One can imagine the state of affairs in Bihar’s health department. A medical student died simply because he was denied treatment at his own institute. The health system in Bihar has completely collapsed,” Kumar said at a press conference.
Broader Concerns
The case has reignited concerns about healthcare infrastructure and the lack of emergency response mechanisms even at premier medical institutions. Students and activists have called for an independent investigation into the incident, along with policy reforms to ensure no such tragedy recurs.
What’s Next?
As pressure mounts, IGIMS and state health authorities are expected to issue a formal response. Meanwhile, students continue to demand:
- A judicial probe into Abhinav’s death.
- Administrative action against those responsible.
- Systemic reforms to handle student medical emergencies.
The incident has become a grim reflection of the healthcare challenges in Bihar, not just for the public, but even for those being trained to serve in the system.
