Newborn’s Death Outside Hospital: All Staff To Be Replaced For Negligence

Cuttack: A day after a newborn died during delivery outside a primary health centre in Athagarh block of Cuttack as it was closed; the Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) today recommended the district collector to replace all the existing staff of the concerned hospital.

As per reports, a four-member team led by Cuttack CDMO visited Gurudijhatia Primary Health Centre today and interrogated the doctor and other staff members over such lapses.

"Strict action will be taken against all those who are responsible for the incident. I have urged the collector to transfer all the staff and have directed the in-charge of the hospital to keep the hospital open," said Cuttack CDMO, Bibhuti Bhushan Nayak.

A pregnant woman was brought for delivery at Gurudijhatia Primary Health Centre in Athagarh yesterday, but her family members reportedly found the centre closed. Despite waiting for hours while the woman was in labour, no medical staff turned up and she was forced to deliver the baby outside the centre.

Even though comments could not be obtained from the staff of the Gurudijhatia hospital in connection with the matter, local MLA and Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Ranendra Swain who visited the healthcare centre after the incident said, he would take up the matter with the Health Minister.

After telecast of the report on the incident, Health Minister Naba Das had directed Cuttack CDMO and Public Health Officer (PHO) to conduct a probe and submit the report within 3 days.