Post News Network
Bangiriposi, Oct 11: A young man died at a community health centre in Bangiriposi in Mayurbhanj district Sunday after the doctor who was posted here allegedly refused to turn up to attend to the patient.
The deceased, identified as Ghanashyam Mohant (35) of Bhuasuni, was admitted to the CHC in a critical condition Saturday night after he consumed a toxic substance. Mohant was lying unattended for several hours as no doctor was available at the CHC.
As Mohant’s condition worsened, anxious family members went to the chambers of Dr Sunaram Murmu and requested him to attend to the patient. The family members alleged Murmu refused to attend to the patient citing that he was off duty.
Murmu finally visited the patient after sometime, but it was too late; Mohant by then had already succumbed.
As news of the patient’s death spread, angry relatives detained the doctor through the night. A police team was sent to the hospital to keep an eye on the unfolding situation.
After getting wind of the incident Sunday morning, furious locals blocked National Highway 49 for over four hours by squatting on the middle of the road with the deceased’s body. Hundreds of vehicles were stranded on either side of the road due to the blockade.
Angry crowds carried the body to a distance of 1 km from the hospital to reach the Kolkata-Mumbai highway and blocked the road demanding compensation for the deceased’s
family. They also demanded stringent action against the doctor for his dereliction of work and sought appointment of adequate doctors at the health centre to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.
Police teams from Bangiriposi and Jharpokharia rushed a platoon to the spot. Sub-divisional police officer Suresh Jena, sub-collector Digant Routray and block development officer Kukumina Das visited the spot.
The protesters relented after officials assured them of action against the hospital staff. Officials also said the deceased’s wife would be made eligible for pension.
Medical officer in-charge Manas Pani said action will be taken after an investigation.