POST NEWS NETWORK
Berhampur, Nov 5: A woman Thursday delivered a stillborn girl along a road at Golapalli area near Badakhemundi Sahi here even as the government spends a lot on running its Janani Surakhya Yojana (JSY).
The incident took place just a km from the City Hospital. Moreover, it assumed significance as it happened a day after health minister and secretary visited the city to take stock of the quality of healthcare provided to citizens.
Child’s mother Richa Behera, wife of a daily labourer Jitendra Behera, blamed an ASHA worker who didn’t wake up despite several knocks at her door when her labour pain began.
According to reports, Richa, a resident of Golapalli Sahi, became pregnant six months back. ASHA worker Bhagya Mishra, who stayed in the vicinity, used to take care of her all through these months. Over last few days, Richa kept unwell. Late Wednesday night, the pregnant woman experienced severe pain in her abdomen. Scared, her husband Jitendra and neighbours knocked the door of ASHA worker’s house to come to their rescue. However, she didn’t rise from her sleep although several attempts were made to wake her up.
Left with no option, Richa along with her husband started walking towards the hospital as her pain increased. However, she delivered a dead baby girl after covering a distance of just 50 mt from the house. Locals with the help of her family members buried the body after consulting a doctor at the City Hospital. They blamed it on the negligence by the ASHA worker.
When contacted, chief district medical officer said the additional district medical officer has been given charge to inquire into the matter.
MLA Ramesh Chandra Chyau Patnaik termed the incident unfortunate, saying action would be taken against the ASHA worker after a probe.
The incident triggered an uproar in the city as health minister Atanu Sabyasachi and secretary Arati Ahuja Wednesday visited the city to review healthcare facilities in the hospital.
