Patient Atikur: A Face for 300 Million Middle-Class Lives

The Cachar Incident: A Wake-Up Call for Indian Healthcare

The recent incident in Cachar district, Assam, where a 28-year-old patient, Atikur Rahman, alleged his genitals were removed without consent during a biopsy, is a stark reminder of a fundamental issue plaguing Indian healthcare: the neglect of basics. As a healthcare professional, I believe this tragedy underscores a critical gap in our system—ensuring informed consent, a cornerstone of ethical medical practice, is often treated as a formality rather than a patient’s right.

In this case, consent was reportedly taken by junior staff, possibly nurses or OT personnel, for what was presented as a routine biopsy, an elective procedure. This is not an isolated issue but a systemic one. In many Indian hospitals, the process of obtaining consent is delegated to non-primary caregivers, leading to miscommunication or, worse, misinformation. Patients like Atikur, who trust healthcare providers, are left vulnerable when these basics are ignored. The result? Devastating consequences that shatter lives and erode trust in the system.

At TaCa, we are committed to addressing this very issue—ensuring patients’ right to clean, transparent, and quality healthcare, regardless of whether they visit a five-star hospital or a local facility. Quality care doesn’t require exorbitant costs; it demands the right attitude, consistent practice, and rigorous monitoring. Transparency in healthcare means clear communication about procedures, risks, and outcomes, especially for elective surgeries like biopsies. It means empowering patients with knowledge, not just signatures on a form.

The Indian healthcare system must prioritize these fundamentals:

• Informed Consent: Ensure primary doctors, not just junior staff, explain procedures thoroughly and obtain consent directly.
• Training and Accountability: Regular training for all staff on ethical practices and strict monitoring to enforce compliance.
• Patient-Centric Care: Build systems where patients feel heard, respected, and informed, regardless of the hospital’s size or status.

TaCa is working to bridge this gap by advocating for transparent, patient-first healthcare models. We believe every patient deserves dignity and clarity, and we’re partnering with hospitals to implement practices that uphold these values. The Cachar incident is a call to action for all of us in healthcare to return to the basics—because getting them right can prevent tragedies and rebuild trust.

Let’s commit to a healthcare system where no patient suffers due to ignorance of the fundamentals. Share your thoughts—how can we collectively ensure transparency and quality in Indian healthcare?

#HealthcareForAll #PatientRights #TransparencyInHealthcare #TaCa #IndianHealthcare