RIMS in the storm of another 'controversial death'
'Terminate erring doctors, nurses'
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 18 2025: The aggrieved family of Gotimayum ongbi Ranibala (36) of Wangkhei Yumlembam Leikai who died during delivery at RIMS has asserted that they would not claim the dead body until and unless the "erring" doctors and nurses are terminated from service.

A protest demonstration was held today at Wangkhei Puja Lampak in connection with the death of Ranibala under the aegis of Young Volunteers Organisation (YVO), Wangkhei Puja Lampak and Wangkhei Puja Lampak Women Welfare Organisation.

This is not the first time that RIMS has been caught in controversy in recent times.

About a month back a woman Hijam Ibecha who was admitted at the hospital for knee surgery passed away due to heart failure, leading to intense protests and controversy.

RIMS in the storm of another 'controversial death'

A BP stroke patient (Yengkhom Kehso) also died at the hospital on September 2 after he was reportedly not given treatment due to the day "being a holiday" .

Speaking to media persons by the sideline of the protest demonstration, Ranibala's husband Gotimayum Robinchandra said that they consulted a gynaecologist at Langol View Hospital since she conceived the child.

As the delivery date approached, Ranibala was admitted to RIMS at around 11 am of September 15 on the advice of the doctor who also works at the Gynaecology Department, RIMS.

At 9 pm on September 16, Ranibala delivered a baby girl.

This was known only later as neither the doctors nor the nurses informed the family about the delivery, Robinchandra said.

At that time, no family member was allowed to go close to Ranibala.

At around 10 pm, some staff informed that a baby girl had been delivered.

However, a few minutes later, the doctor asked Robinchandra to sign on a printed form saying that Ranibala was bleeding excessively and her womb must be removed.

The doctor even threatened that he would not treat the patient if Robinchandra did not sign on the printed form.

At around midnight, some staff came out and asked Robinchandra to contact top officers or influential people, if any one was known to him, so as to obtain an ICU bed.

Robinchandra then rang several people whom he thought could reserve an ICU bed for his wife but none of them picked up the phone calls as it was already midnight.

Later, the staff said that Ranibala was already in bed.

A few minutes later, Robinchandra was asked to buy medicines and the medicines were bought promptly.

The staff then said that Ranibala started breathing after the medicines were given.

But a few moments later, they said that Ranibala had stopped breathing.

At around 2 am of September 18, the doctors and the staff told Robinchandra's family that his wife was no more.

When Ranibala was taken to RIMS, the doctor had advised several medical tests and he even suggested doing the tests at Langol View Hospital saying that the tests would take 4-5 days if done at RIMS .

Thus the medical tests were done at Langol View Hospital and all the results turned out normal, Robinchandra said.

Saying that many people have died at RIMS recently on account of negligence on the part of attending doctors, Robinchandra said that they would not claim the dead body of Ranibala until and unless all the doctors and nurses responsible for the death of his are terminated from service.

Gotimayum ongbi Laiphrakpam ningol Ranibala left behind a four year old son.

The baby girl she delivered on September 16 survives.

One woman protester, while pointing that many people with minor ailments have died at RIMS Hospital, said that they are now afraid to take sick people to RIMS Hospital.

She also demanded termination of the doctors and nurses responsible for the death of Ranibala.

She warned that different modes of agitation would be launched if their demand is not fulfilled at the earliest.