Dilip Kumar

An Anganwadi worker, who is considered to be a frontline warrior in the collective fight against Covid-19 pandemic, allegedly faced serious medical negligence after she tested positive for the virus. The incident was reported from Padampur area in the district on Wednesday. 

According to reports, the Anganwadi worker at Ainlabhata village in the district visited the Padmapur sub-divisional hospital after she complained of some covid symptoms. She tested positive for coronavirus at the hospital, but was denied admission and proper care, she alleged.

She further said that she had to spend the whole night under a tree on the hospital premises as the staff neither attended to her nor took any step to shift her to the Covid centre.

“The nurse administered an injection and asked me to wait outside the health centre till doctors come in. There were no toilet/washroom facilities outside the hospital. I faced many problems due to a fracture in my leg,” the victim alleged.

“The staff on duty told me they would refer me to headquarters hospital or covid centre but did nothing. I spent the whole night under a tree outside the hospital,” she added.

Her husband Thakur Sahu said “I rushed her to the health centre following fever and dry throat. The staff advised us to conduct covid test. The report came positive. Thereafter, she has been left unattended. If a frontline warrior is facing such medical negligence, the condition of general patients is quite predictable.”

Doctors, however, rubbished the allegation saying that her symptoms were mild and can be treated under home isolation.

“Her condition is not so precarious. Oxygen saturation level stood at 94. We have provided the required medicines. She can go back home and remain under home isolation. If self-isolation facilities are not available, she can go to the cluster Covid centre,” said Dr Tahsil Sahoo, medical officer at the Padmapur sub-divisional hospital.

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