Guwahati, Jan 4: Assam health and family welfare minister Keshab Mahanta on Thursday visited Jorhat Medical College and Hospital (JMCH) to take stock of the health of the 24 people who were injured in the bus mishap at Dergaon on Wednesday morning and later admitted to the hospital.
“Out of the 24 injured people undergoing treatment at JMCH, four are being treated in the intensive care unit of the hospital,” Mahanta told reporters.
“According to the principal of Jorhat Medical College and superintendent of JMCH, two of the injured have recovered completely and will be discharged today,” he said.
The health minister further informed that four of the injured who were initially admitted to JMCH were referred for advanced treatment in Guwahati.
“Two injured are undergoing treatment at Guwahati Medical College and Hospital and two others at CN Centre, Guwahati. We will ensure the services of a top neurologist from Guwahati are made accessible to those undergoing treatment at JMCH,” Mahanta said.
It may be noted that 12 persons died in the early morning mishap on national highway (NH)-37 at Balijan near Dergaon in Upper Assam’s Golaghat district. The bus, carrying 49 passengers who were going for a picnic in Tinsukia district, collided with a coal-laden truck amid dense fog.
Of the 35 injured who were taken to JMCH, two were declared ‘brought dead’ by the doctors.
The health minister also visited Bosa Bharalua Gaon in Golaghat district and interacted with the families of those who died in the mishap. He also visited the residences of the people injured in the accident and inquired about their health.
“I have interacted with the patients’ family and assured them that all the necessary assistance will be provided by the state government to ensure their speedy recovery. The injured are being provided free medical services,” the minister said.
Mahanta, who is also a Cabinet minister, also visited the site of the accident and gave a patient hearing to the grievances and complaints of the residents of the area in regard to the state of the road and vehicles that ply on that section of the road.
Notably, in the wake of the horrific early morning mishap amidst dense fog and the ongoing picnic season, the Assam Police had issued an SOP prohibiting movement of picnic parties before sunrise and after sunset.