Chaibasa: A four-month-old baby died recently due to alleged medical negligence at a government hospital. The father of the baby girl has alleged that he had to carry his daughter’s mortal remains in a bag through a forest to return home after the tragedy. Former MP Geeta Koda on Saturday visited the grieving tribal family of Bal Jodi village under Noamundi block.
Reaching the remote forest and hilly area, she met the victim’s family, expressed her condolences, and assured them of support. Later, addressing a press conference at the Chaibasa Cafeteria, Koda sharply criticized the deteriorating healthcare system in the district.
She said the infant’s father, Dimba Chontoba, had brought his four-month-old daughter to the Sadar Hospital, Chaibasa, for treatment. The child died during treatment, and due to alleged negligence by the hospital administration, the helpless father was forced to carry his deceased daughter’s body in a bag and return to his village through forest paths late at night.
Terming the incident a glaring example of insensitivity, Koda said it was a deep blot on the health department and the Sadar Hospital administration. She recalled that serious lapses had occurred earlier as well, including cases where thalassemia-affected children were allegedly transfused HIV-infected blood, yet no effective action was taken.
She said that healthcare facilities in the tribal-dominated West Singhbhum district are in a pathetic state. “More than one lakh children in the district are suffering from malnutrition, reflecting the failure of the system”, she added.
Koda demanded a high-level inquiry into the incident and immediate compensation for the affected family.
