The death of a six-month-old tribal baby due to lack of proper treatment at the Mananthavadi Medical College has led to the dismissal of a contract employee. The baby boy belonging to Bineesh and Leela of Mananthavadi Kellur Karatukunni Colony died on March 22, a week ago, due to severe pneumonia and anemia.
According to reports, the child was brought to the medical college for treatment and was sent away after being given medicine. However, the baby passed away the next morning, leaving his parents devastated.
Following the incident, the Department of Health, Department of Scheduled Tribes Development, and ICDS have come under criticism for failing to report information on malnourished and underweight children. Two nurses who are local health workers under the health department have been issued show-cause notices for their role in the incident.
The post-mortem report has stated that the child died due to pneumonia and anemia. However, there are allegations that the doctor who examined the baby did not identify these conditions in the examination report. Additionally, the doctor failed to identify the child’s malnourishment and underweight condition.
The baby weighed only 3 kg at the time of his death, despite being 6 months old. Healthy babies at this age should weigh up to 10 kg. It was also found that the child was sent away without seeking the opinion of the casualty medical officer on duty or the paediatrician who would have attended the hospital if called.
In light of these serious failings, the medical college doctor has been dismissed from his position. The incident has sparked outrage among the local community and raised questions about the quality of healthcare available to marginalized communities in Wayanad.
The authorities have assured the public that they will take strict action against those responsible for the child’s death and work towards improving the healthcare system to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
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