Child’s Death Trigger’s Road Blockade In Odisha’s Gajapati; Family Alleges Supply Of Expired Medicine

Paralakhemundi: Tension prevailed at a village near Parlakhemundi town in Odisha’s Gajapati district on Tuesday as villagers staged a protest and road blockage after the death of an 11-month-old baby.

The protesters blocked the road at Jajpur alleging that the Anganwadi worker and Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) had supplied expired medicines which claimed the child’s life.

Vehicular movement between Parlakhemundi and Mohana was disrupted due to the road blockade by the villagers who demanded action against the Anganwadi worker and ASHA.

Sources said the deceased, identified as Sanchit of Jajpur, fell ill after consuming medicines supplied by the Anganwadi centre in the village on April 11. Though his condition had improved after the treatment, a few days later he became serious again.

The family members took the 11-month-old baby to different hospitals including Parlakhemundi district headquarters hospital (DHH), a Vishakhapatnam-based hospital, AIIMS Bhubaneswar and Sishu Bhawan in Cuttack.

However, the child breathed his last on Monday while undergoing treatment at Sishu Bhawan in Cuttack after which the villagers staged the road blockade.

Based on the complaint lodged by the family members, the police registered a case and launched an investigation.