Questions have once again been raised over healthcare services in Odisha’s remote regions after the family of a three-day-old infant alleged that medical negligence led to the child’s death in Nabarangpur district, sources said on Thursday.
The incident was reported from Baragaon village under Raighar block. According to the family, the newborn developed a fever shortly after being discharged from a health facility and did not receive timely medical attention when brought back for treatment.
Family members said that Parmila, daughter of Lachhan Gond of Baragaon village, had been staying at her parental home during pregnancy. On Monday, while being taken to the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Jodinga near Raighar after labour pains began, she reportedly delivered a baby boy inside a Bolero vehicle on the way to the hospital.
The woman and the newborn were subsequently admitted to the health centre in Jodinga and discharged the following day.
The family alleged that the infant developed a fever soon after returning home. On the third day after birth, the baby was brought back to Jodinga Health Centre for treatment. Relatives claimed that despite waiting for nearly two hours, the attending doctor did not examine the child directly and instead prescribed medicines without seeing the infant.
They further alleged that there was a delay in receiving medicines, during which the mother was waiting outside a medical store with the newborn.
According to the family, the infant allegedly died later that evening due to the lack of timely treatment. The deceased newborn’s family members have accused the health centre staff of negligence and demanded accountability.
“The newborn got a fever on Tuesday night. After that, we took the child to the hospital, but the doctors didn’t provide any care. Because of this, the baby passed away. The doctors didn’t provide proper treatment; it’s because the doctors didn’t treat the child well that the baby died,” the deceased’s father said.
However, the doctor concerned, Dr. Sudipta Kumar Sarkar, has denied all allegations and maintained that appropriate treatment was provided. He rejected claims of medical negligence and said the accusations were unfounded.
“If they had brought the newborn a little sooner—the fever started suddenly at home—the child could have been admitted, or we should have referred him. However, in a very short time, by the time the baby arrived, the patient’s condition was so critical that the child couldn't even be referred, and hence succumbed. There has been no negligence by the hospital staff,” Nabarangpur CDMO, Prafulla Kumar Padhi, stated.
District health authorities have stated that an inquiry has been initiated to ascertain the facts surrounding the incident. Officials said the exact cause of death would be determined after a thorough investigation and assured that appropriate action would be taken if any negligence is established.
The fatal incident has once again highlighted concerns over access to timely healthcare and medical infrastructure in Odisha’s rural and remote areas.