Tension gripped the District Headquarters Hospital here once again over the death of a woman pertaining to her delivery. Her kin and supporters created uproar demanding immediate action against a gynecologist holding him responsible for the death of the patient.
Minati Barik (31), a resident of Kasabajaypur under Khantapara police station, had been operated at the district headquarters hospital where she had delivered a female child on Friday last.However, she died in the ward of the hospital at around 9.30 am while she was feeding the new born. It was initially said by the hospital authority that it could be a case of cardiac arrest and the exact reason would be known after autopsy.
Not satisfied with the explanation of the hospital authority, the relatives and supporters of the deceased led by a few local BJP leaders alleged that the death occurred due to negligence of Dr Gyanaranjan Behera. They demanded Rs20 lakh as compensation, besides arrest of the doctor and his suspension.
The autopsy of the deceased couldn’t be carried out as the agitators insisted action on their demands. CDMO Anup Ghosh informed, “The doctor has been transferred to Soro CHC after the incident. An inquiry has been ordered. Immediately, the family members of the deceased were given Rs10,000 out of Red Cross fund. We tried to pacify the situation by holding talks with the agitators, but failed.”
Although attempts have been made by the district administration to diffuse the tension, yet it aggravated on Wednesday after the family members along with a group of their supporters reiterated their demand for Rs20 lakh as compensation, suspension of the gynecologist doctor and his arrest. Former MlA Pratap Sarangi and BJP district president Madan Mohan Dutta along with their supporters demanded stern action against doctor Behera.
“This has been a habit of the gynecologist to take money from each delivery patient.He takes little care of patients who don’t give him money. Besides, he is engaged in private practices and nursing homes. Therefore, he should be suspended and arrested. That apart, the administration should give Rs20 lakh compensation to the victim family,” said Dutta. He questioned as to why no action had been taken by the police against the doctor despite an FIR lodged against him.
Sources said the surgery was carried out by gynecologist Gyanaranjan Behera. The husband of the deceased, Karunakar Barik , who is a poor farmer, said, “We had initially given Rs2,500 before the surgery to Dr Behera but he demanded Rs1,500 more after operation. As we could not pay the money, he did not take care of the patient. Due to his negligence my wife died.”
The Town Police Station IIC Bijay Murmu said, “A case has been registered against the doctor under Section 384 (extortion) and 304 (a) (causing death by negligence) of IPC. But the accused doctor is untraceable.”