Silchar: A newborn girl from Assam’s Cachar district, born with a rare congenital deformity that makes it appear as though she has two heads, is facing delays in life-saving treatment due to malfunctioning medical equipment at Guwahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH). The child, born on July 1 at a private hospital near Kathal Point in Silchar, has been diagnosed with meningoencephalocele, a severe birth defect where brain tissue protrudes through an opening in the skull. Doctors in Silchar referred the case to GMCH for specialised care, given the complexity of the condition.
However, the baby's father, Makbul Hussain Choudhury, a daily wage mason from the Dholai constituency, has alleged that GMCH has failed to provide timely treatment. A critical MRI scan was postponed after hospital staff informed the family that the specialised oxygen support system for neonatal MRIs had been non-functional for 20–25 days. "We reached Guwahati for the second time on July 22. But the MRI couldn’t be done because the oxygen system wasn’t working. They discharged us and gave us a new date — August 25," Makbul told reporters.
With no local hospital willing to handle the case and medical experts in Silchar citing a lack of necessary infrastructure, the family is left stranded in Guwahati, struggling with mounting costs and emotional stress. Makbul said the family of four is spending Rs 500–600 per meal, a financial burden he cannot sustain. "I'm just a mason. We have no more resources. I request the Chief Minister to help save my daughter," he pleaded. While local MLA Nihar Ranjan Das reportedly extended limited financial assistance, the father's appeal for help has now reached the public domain, sparking widespread concern.
The incident raises serious questions about the readiness of top-tier government hospitals like GMCH in dealing with rare and urgent neonatal cases. The continued failure to repair the neonatal MRI system has highlighted systemic gaps in Assam’s healthcare infrastructure, with potentially tragic consequences. As of now, the baby’s condition remains precarious, and the family awaits both medical clarity and government support.