DELIVERY UNDER A TREE

DELIVERY UNDER A TREE

10-JUNE-ENG 6

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

BUXAR---------------------- An incident where a newborn had to be treated under a tree within the Dumraon Sub-divisional Hospital premises due to a power outage has exposed serious flaws in the district's healthcare system. Questions are being raised regarding administrative negligence and the lack of basic amenities.

Reacting to the matter, Dr. Ajit Kumar Singh, former MLA of Dumraon and National President of the Inquilabi Naujawan Sabha, termed it a case of gross negligence on the part of the government, the Health Department, and the district administration. He described the incident as deeply shameful and shocking to the conscience.

Dr. Singh remarked that while the government makes grand claims about development and good governance, the lack of basic facilities in government hospitals is endangering the lives of newborns. He questioned how the general public could trust government health services when there is no guarantee of electricity, backup systems, or the functioning of life-saving equipment in hospitals.

He further noted that not a single state-of-the-art ICU has been established in the entire Buxar district to date, forcing critically ill patients to travel to Patna, Varanasi, or other major cities for treatment.

Recalling his tenure as an MLA, Dr. Ajit Singh stated that he had consistently raised demands in the Legislative Assembly for the expansion of health facilities, the recruitment of doctors, and the modernization of hospitals. It was through these efforts that the Maternal and Newborn Care Unit (MNCU) was established; however, a severe shortage of doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers persists.

Dr. Singh has demanded a high-level, impartial inquiry into the entire matter. He also urged for strict action against the officials responsible and called for the immediate strengthening of the healthcare system across Buxar district, including the Dumraon Sub-divisional Hospital. Additionally, he demanded uninterrupted power supply, adequate generator backups, the recruitment of medical staff, and the establishment of a modern ICU in the hospitals. Civil Surgeon Dr. Shiv Prasad Chakraborty stated that a team has been constituted to investigate the circumstances under which doctors administered treatment at the MNCU gate. The matter will become clear once the investigation report is received.

Dr. Prema Kumari, Deputy Superintendent of Sub-divisional Hospital Dumraon, explained that the power supply to half the hospital building was disrupted due to a sudden short circuit, and the generator supply was also affected. Under these circumstances, treatment was being provided at the MNCU gate to offer relief from the heat and ensure the safety of the children. She added that one newborn was in extremely critical condition and is currently undergoing treatment by the doctors.