Kendrapara: A newborn girl allegedly died due to the lack of proper medical treatment at the District Head Quarter hospital (DHHQ) in coastal Kendrapara district.
According to sources, 22-year old Sabita Swain, wife of 35-year old Saroj Kumar Behera of Dosautuni village under Rajkanika police station, gave birth to a girl child at the Rajkanika community Health Centre at around 12.30pm Sunday.
Later, the newborn became sick and started crying. The child was then referred to the District Head Quarter hospital for better treatment.
Family members of Sabita took the child along with mother to the District Head quarter hospital at around 9.30 pm and pediatric doctor Ananda Gopal Mohanty was on duty. He later attended the child and told the family members that the child was alright. He asked why the family brought the child for treatment. The doctor allegedly threatened them that if they had argued for the child’s treatment, he would refer the child to SCB Medical College and Hospital.
After several pleas, the doctor later admitted the child without giving any medicine, alleged Sabita.
“Later, her health condition deteriorated at about 2.30am. I knocked at the outdoor patient doctor’s chamber, where the doctor was sleeping. He later wake up and asked why I disturbed him. But Mohanty did not pay any attention and slept. My granddaughter failed to get timely treatment. On Monday morning, another paediatric doctor of the hospital, Santosh Swain, came to the ward and provided treatment. At that time my granddaughter became critical due to fever. He later prescribed an injection. Unfortunately, she succumbed to death,” alleged Bhaja Gobinda Behera, grandfather of the newborn.
“Had the doctor last night attended her and provided treatment, she would not have died. Due to the negligence of Mohanty in providing treatment to my ailing daughter, my newborn baby died without getting proper medical attention,” alleged Sabita.
Bhaja filed a complaint before the CDMO and ADMO (Medical) of District Head Quarter hospital and also lodged an FIR at Kendrapara Town police station.
When contacted Bikash Kumar Dash, the additional SP of Kendrapara, said the Kendrapara town police registered a case under Section 304(a) IPC against the doctor. The police seized the dead body and sent it for autopsy.
The ADMO (Medical) at Kendrapara District Head Quarter hospital, said: “The child suffered from birth asphyxia. If any negligence was found on the part of the doctor, then action would be initiated.” PNN
