Daijiworld Media Network – Kasargod (SP)

Kasargod, May 6: A 30-month-old girl named Prajeeta, daughter of Shashidhar from Natekallu Golikatte in Bellur, who was suffering from the side affects of insecticide, endosulfan, died in a private hospital in the town on Thursday May 5 morning. A number of organizations held protests, alleging negligence on the part of the doctor concerned.

The girl in question was ill since her birth. As her ailments turned serious on Wednesday, her parents had brought her to the general hospital here for check up. They were told that the paediatrician of the hospital was on leave. After the parents waited at the hospital, they were told by the employees of the hospital that the child may be treated by the doctor, if they visit him at home.

When the child was taken to his home, the doctor in question checked the girl, and advised her to be admitted into the hospital immediately. Shashidhar said that the doctor collected Rs 100 from him for checking the girl’s health. The girl was admitted to the general hospital. As the doctor failed to visit the hospital thereafter, she was shifted to a private hospital at night. As the girl’s condition had turned very serious by then, she did not respond to treatments, and succumbed on Thursday morning.

Activists of Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) mobbed the general hospital, alleging negligence of the doctor for the death of Prajeeta. They tried to enter of the office of the hospital superintendent, but the policemen prevented them. Some DYFI activists also held protest in front of the clinic of Dr Nayana Naik, and pelted stones at the clinic. Youth League members organized dharna in front of the hospital. Activists of Solidarity took out a protest march against the incident.

The girl’s body was shifted to Pariyaram Medical College Hospital for post mortem. Under the instructions of state health minister P K Srimati Teacher to submit a report on the incident, district medical officer, Dr Jose D’Cruz had initiated an inquiry.