Healthcare / Mayurbhanj: Child’s Death Sparks Violence at Sarasakana Hospital

Baripada, Sep 20: Tension gripped Sarasakana Community Health Centre in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district on Sunday after the death of a two-year-old girl triggered widespread outrage among locals.

The hospital premises turned into a battleground as agitated residents and relatives of the deceased vandalised property and set fire to medicines and medical supplies.

According to reports, the child, Chulbul, daughter of Raja Behera from Mundhakata village, sustained severe injuries yesterday after coming in contact with an unsafe electric wire of a table fan at home. She was rushed to Sarasakana CHC for treatment, but no doctor was present at the facility. The family then shifted her to Shirsia, Jharkpokharia and later to Pandit Raghunath Murmu Medical College in Baripada, where doctors declared her dead.

The absence of medical staff at the CHC sparked anger among villagers, who alleged that negligence and administrative apathy led to the child’s death. Despite repeated complaints about the lack of doctors at Sarasakana CHC, no corrective measures were taken, locals claimed.
Also Read: Argus Health Connect 2026 Highlights Odisha’s Healthcare Challenges and Future Roadmap

In protest, enraged residents stormed the hospital, ransacked equipment, and dragged out essential medicines, bandages, and saline bottles before setting them ablaze. Thick smoke engulfed the premises as chaos unfolded.

After getting information, a Police team from Jharkpokharia station rushed to the spot, attempting to pacify the crowd and restore order.

The incident highlights the recurring issue of inadequate healthcare infrastructure in rural Odisha. The tragic death of the child has reignited demands for immediate deployment of doctors and improved medical facilities in the region. Authorities are expected to review the situation and initiate measures to prevent such lapses in the future.