Protest Over Student’s Death Due to Alleged Medical Negligence
By Addanki Iswar R.
Malkangiri, 19.08.2024 – Tensions flared in Malkangiri District’s Padia Block as villagers and the family of a deceased student staged a protest in front of Dharampalli Ashram School, accusing the school of medical negligence. The student’s family, along with villagers, placed the boy’s body at the school gate, demanding justice and compensation.
The student, Sukant Madhi, a Class V student at the residential school, had been suffering from body ailments and leg swelling. He was initially treated at Dharampalli Health Center. Despite the doctor’s advice to take Sukant to a hospital after three days of no improvement, the school authorities, led by Headmistress Susama Poiba, allegedly failed to act.
Sukant’s father, Inga Madhi, repeatedly requested to take his son home for treatment, but his pleas were ignored. Sukant, who was bedridden due to his worsening condition, eventually left the school on his own, reaching his village, Nandiguda, two kilometers away. Sadly, he passed away the next morning.
In response to the tragic death, villagers and the family carried Sukant’s body in an auto-rickshaw and protested at the school. Authorities, including the BDO Podia, DWO A Srinivas Achary, and police, intervened and negotiated with the protestors. An agreement was reportedly reached, and Sukant’s body was sent to Malkangiri Hospital for post-mortem examination before being handed over to his family.
