Cuttack: Tension ran high in Mahanga after locals staged a road blockade at Ostamula Chhak by placing the body of a minor girl who died yesterday due to alleged medical negligence.
As per sources, the girl diagnosed with cancer, was undergoing treatment at the SCB Medical here since last few days. However, her family informed that the doctors discharged her on Friday asking them to take her back home.
Her condition worsened yesterday following which family members along with a few locals blocked the road in the Ostamula village. Later, with the help of district administration and police, the girl was shifted to Acharya Harihar Regional Cancer Centre in a 108 ambulance. The girl breathed her last while undergoing treatment at the OPD, sources said.
Alleging negligence in her treatment and demanding compensation, irate locals and the girl’s family members staged a road blockade by burning tyres and placing her body on the road while police personnel were deployed on the spot to avoid any untoward incident.
Meanwhile, the girl's father has blamed Odisha Health Minister Pratap Jena for ignoring his request to facilitate his daughter’s treatment claiming that he had apprised the minister of negligence in her treatment.
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Girl’s father Karunakar Jena alleged, “The hospital authorities told me to bring her on Monday for her admission. They did not admit her saying it’s already 5 PM and we can’t admit her. I demand a compensation of Rs 10 lakh from the administration and Health Minister.”
As a result of the blockade, communication between Cuttack-Kuanpala was also affected, sources added.
As per latest reports, the blockade was withdrawn after local Tehsildar reached the spot and assured them of fulfilling their demands. The Tehsildar also provided a financial assistance of Rs 10,000 to the family of the deceased, sources claimed.