Woman with 45% burn left hospital against doctors’ advice
Shillong, Nov 21: The National Commission for Women (NCW) has sought punitive action against the husband of a woman for setting her on fire and the in-laws for trying to protect him.
The woman in mid-30s, who was readmitted in Shillong Civil Hospital after being taken home against the doctor’s advice, is in a stable but critical condition.
Mother of six children, the woman suffered 45 per cent burn injury in the incident over a month ago, but it came to light only after a well-wisher had visited her at her home at Niriang under Thadlaskein block in West Jaintia Hills district.
“Doctors are trying their best to treat the patient, who is a victim of a clear case of domestic violence,” said NCW member Delina Khongdup, who along with Meghalaya State Commission for Women (MSCW) chairperson Iamon Syiem, visited the woman at Shillong Civil Hospital on Wednesday.
“According to law, we will definitely bring all those involved including her husband and in-laws (to book),” she said.
The husband was already taken into custody.
“We will try our best not to grant him bail as long as she is in this critical condition,” Khongdup said.
Underlining the need for more awareness on the legal provisions in cases of domestic violence, she said, “Awareness is important to prevent such kinds of incidents.”
Earlier, the woman was admitted to Shillong Civil Hospital on October 7 with 45 percent burn injuries on her face, neck, limps and chest.
“Her husband was taking care of her right from the time she got admitted till the time that she decided to go back home on November 1,” said Dr C Wanniang, a surgeon who is treating the patient.
Making it clear that the hospital had never discharged her, he said, “The patient was refusing injection and dressing and was persistent about going home. She left without us discharging her.”
The doctor also informed that the case was taken as an accidental burn injury since the patient never disclosed the history of how the incident had happened.
“She doesn’t say anything but I advised her that she should get regular dressing daily and be encouraged to have a high protein diet intake for rapid recovery,” he said.
Dr Wanniang, meanwhile, informed that the patient is stable and doing fine.
MSCW chairperson Iamon Syiem said the hospital authorities had assured to appoint a social health worker to take care of such cases.
Informing that the incident was reported as the woman had fallen in the fireplace, she said. “We will advise them (police) to investigate it again because it is a clear case of domestic violence and that the husband has burnt her.”
Earlier, the NCW member informed that the Commission used to receive 10-15 complaints of domestic violence every day from Meghalaya as well as other North East states.
“It (domestic violence) is happening at an alarming situation in Meghalaya…we have to see the root cause… why women in our matrilineal society also face this type of domestic violence.”
Urging the victim women to break their silence against kind of abuse, Khongdup said, “I would like to encourage every woman who faced this type of violence, to come forward and raise their voice against such violence.”
Informing about the recently launched Her Legal Guide, she said, “Every woman can download this app.”
The app, currently available in English and Hindi, is being translated into other languages as well.
