Locals Block Road Over Man's Death Due To 'Medical Negligence', Demand Rs 10L Compensation

Vehicular movement came to a grinding halt on the Baripada-Udala road in Mayurbhanj district after locals staged a road blockade at Poda Bastia square over death of a man due to alleged medical negligence.

As per reports, the family members and villagers of the deceased who hailed from Shyamakhunta area in the district put the body on road on Friday night and demanded compensation from the government. The agitation continued till today morning.

Sources said the man was down with fever and being treated at the Pandit Raghunath Murmu (PRM) Medical College and Hospital in Baripada when a chunk of concrete slab from the hospital roof fell on him on October 3, leaving him seriously injured.

The critical patient was rushed to the SCB hospital in Cuttack for treatment where he succumbed to his injuries on Friday.

Following his death, the agitated family members brought the body to Baripada and staged a blockade by putting it on the road.

They demanded adequate compensation for the death which they alleged was caused due to medical negligence. The local Tehsildar visited the spot today morning and tried to pacify the agitators, but in vain.

Speaking to OTV, a family member of the deceased alleged, "He (the patient) contracted fever and was being treated at the PRM. He was set to be discharged from the hospital the next day but a piece of concrete slab fell from the roof and injured him seriously following which he died."

"We demand Rs 10 lakh compensation and a home for the immediate family members from the government," he said.