Sat Jan 18 16:13:27 UTC 2025: ## Cancer Patient’s Death Sparks Political Row in Himachal Pradesh
**Shimla, January 19, 2025** – The death of a cancer patient at Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) in Shimla has ignited a political firestorm in Himachal Pradesh, with the Leader of the Opposition accusing the state government of negligence.
Jai Ram Thakur, leader of the BJP, alleges that 57-year-old Devraj Sharma died due to the unavailability of a crucial injection under the Himcare health scheme. He demanded a thorough investigation and action against those responsible, citing the case as evidence of the government’s incompetence in managing medicine supplies. Thakur highlighted a recent social media video showing the daughter of another cancer patient, Janhavi Sharma, claiming her father died for the same reason – the lack of a Rs 60,000 injection despite being registered under Himcare. The BJP leader stated this was not an isolated incident, citing numerous reports of patients facing similar difficulties accessing medicines and treatments.
The state government countered these accusations, claiming Sharma received the best possible treatment at IGMC and that his death followed a relapse after initial improvement. They stated that Sharma received chemotherapy and immunotherapy, including one dose of the required nimotuzumab injection, before succumbing to the disease. Furthermore, the government asserted that over Rs 1.79 lakh was spent on Sharma’s treatment under Himcare, and that the patient’s family failed to collect subsequent doses of the medication from the Jan Aushadhi pharmacy. They dismissed the allegations as politically motivated.
The conflicting accounts have left the public divided, with the opposition demanding accountability and the ruling party defending its healthcare policies. The incident has raised serious concerns about the accessibility and efficacy of the Himcare scheme, prompting calls for a comprehensive review of its implementation.
First Piper 