Denied Treatment Amid Doctors' Protest, Pregnant Woman Dies After Childbirth In Odisha
the family claimed that doctors at the hospital did not provide treatment because of the ongoing agitation by medical professionals. As Gitanjali's condition reportedly worsened, her relatives arranged to shift her to Raipur in neighbouring Chhattisgarh at around 2 am on Saturday
Bhubaneswar: A pregnant woman from Odisha's Nuapada district allegedly died after being denied treatment at a government hospital amid the ongoing doctors' protest in the state, with her family accusing medical personnel of negligence.
The deceased, identified as Gitanjali Kharsel, wife of Bhala Kharsel and a resident of Birighat village under Khariar block, went into labour while being taken to the Khariar Sub-Divisional Hospital on Friday, according to her family. They alleged that she delivered a baby en route to the hospital and was subsequently taken to the facility for emergency post-delivery care.
However, the family claimed that doctors at the hospital did not provide treatment because of the ongoing agitation by medical professionals. As Gitanjali's condition reportedly worsened, her relatives arranged to shift her to Raipur in neighbouring Chhattisgarh at around 2 am on Saturday.
She died on the way before reaching the referral hospital.
The family alleged that the delay in providing medical attention proved fatal and has demanded action against those responsible.
“She was not treated at the hospital because of the doctors' protest. When her condition deteriorated, we had no option but to take her to Raipur, but she died on the way,” alleged Lalita Kharsel, the deceased's mother-in-law.
The incident comes amid continuing disruptions to healthcare services in parts of Odisha due to the doctors' agitation, which has affected patient care at several government health facilities.
Hospital authorities and the district administration had not issued an official statement on the family's allegations till the filing of this report. Police also said they were yet to comment on the circumstances surrounding the woman's death.
The incident is likely to intensify concerns over the impact of the ongoing doctors' protest on emergency healthcare services, particularly in rural and remote districts where access to advanced medical facilities remains limited.
