Probe ordered after Sukma couple left to fend for themselves after baby’s death

Sukma district collector Vinit Nandanwar ordered a probe into the entire episode on Tuesday to assess negligence by health staffers.

Updated on: Jun 21, 2022, 21:01:51 IST

By Ritesh Mishra

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Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district administration on Tuesday ordered a probe into a local health officials’ refusal to help take a couple and their dead newborn home, people aware of the matter said.

The couple said the ambulance turned back and left them at the Dornapal hospital after their baby died on the way

The incident took place on Monday evening when a pregnant woman and her husband from Kankerlanka village in Maoist-affected Sukma district went to the Kankerlanka sub-health centre. After the delivery, the medical staff referred her to the Dornapal hospital as the newborn was unwell, which in turn, referred them to the Sukma district hospital.

But when the newborn died on the way, the ambulance driver brought them back to the Dornapal health centre and left them there.

“The baby stopped breathing while we were on the road. So, we came back. There was no help for us to take the dead body back to our village,” said Kalmu Singa, the father of the child.

At about 10pm, someone reached out to a local journalist Raja Rathore who reached the hospital and attempted to get health officials to help the couple.

When there was no sign of an ambulance after trying for more than an hour, Rathore said he made a midnight trip to drop the couple and the baby.

District collector Vinit Nandanwar ordered a probe into the entire episode on Tuesday to assess negligence by health staffers.

The ambulance driver is learnt to have told the officials that he did not have an option because he received another emergency call for another patient.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ritesh Mishra
Ritesh Mishra is the State Correspondent for Chhattisgarh with Hindustan Times. He reports on Maoism, internal security, politics, mining, governance, and major developments shaping the state. Based in Raipur, he has covered Chhattisgarh since 2016, reporting extensively from the Bastar region and other conflict-affected areas. With nearly two decades of experience in journalism, Ritesh has built a reputation for ground reporting from some of India's most challenging terrains. His coverage spans Left-Wing Extremism, counter-insurgency operations, elections, tribal affairs, environmental issues, infrastructure, mining, and socio-economic developments. He has reported on major security operations, policy initiatives, wildlife crime, and the changing dynamics of conflict and development in Central India. Before moving to Chhattisgarh, Ritesh spent eight years reporting from Madhya Pradesh, covering politics, administration, crime, development, and social issues. Throughout his career, he has reported on various forms of extremism in Central India, combining field reporting with in-depth analysis to produce accurate, balanced, and impactful journalism. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Ritesh worked with The Pioneer and The Free Press Journal, where he covered a wide range of beats and honed his skills in political, investigative, and field reporting. His reporting is marked by exclusive stories, extensive fieldwork, and a commitment to factual, on-the-ground journalism that brings complex issues to a wider audience.Read More

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