Medical negligence: Tension erupts at Santirbazar district hospital after death of nine-month old baby

Once again medical negligence claimed the death of a nine months old baby at Santir Bazar district hospital on Sunday morning due to alleged medical negligence by an on-duty doctor and after the death of the baby, relatives raised their protest.

Soon after the incident, a large number of police forces rushed to the hospital and they defused the escalating tension.

Sources said that on Sunday morning at around 6 AM, one Rajib Das, a resident of West Kalacherra of Santirbazar under South Tripura district brought his nine-month old daughter, Diksha Das at the emergency ward of the hospital after she was suffering from severe abdominal pain since previous night.

After arrival at the hospital, the on-duty doctor, Debashree Reang, examined Diksha and prescribed two medicines .  Rajib Das , immediately purchased these medicines from a nearby medical store (Pharmacy)  and on their way home, administered one of the medicines to Diksha as prescribed by the doctor.

Family members alleged that  shortly after taking the medicine, Diksha’s condition deteriorated and she collapsed.

Then they again rushed back to the hospital, but allegedly the on-duty doctor left, claiming her shift was over. Later, the on-duty doctor again examined her and gave her oxygen support, but the kid already collapsed . Doctors declared her dead.

Amidst hue and cry, victim family members alleged that  Diksha can be survived if the doctor Debashree Reang admitted her in the hospital and if she gets proper treatment in the hospital.

The victim's family members raised their protest against gross-negligence of the on-duty doctor and demanded action against the doctor. By the time, a large number of police forces rushed to the hospital and they tried to defuse the tension.

After hearing of Diksha’s death, the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), the Medical Superintendent of the District Hospital, and others rushed to the hospital. When asked about the incident, the hospital’s Medical Superintendent Dr J.S. Reang said that he rushed to the hospital immediately after hearing the news. After speaking to everyone, he tried to gather details about the incident. He stated that the doctors did examine the child on time and that the exact cause of death would be known after a post-mortem examination.

While, after post-mortem, the mortal remains of the baby were handed over to her relatives for last rites. Till last report, the victim's family person so far did not file any complaint before the police over alleged medical negligence.