An incident at a primary health centre in Odisha’s Jharsuguda district sparked outrage after a newborn baby girl allegedly died on Sunday after falling to the floor shortly after delivery. The fatal incident took place at Palsada PHC under Lakhanpur block and has raised serious questions over patient care and hospital staff negligence.

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According to sources, a pregnant woman from Machida village was brought to the health centre earlier in the day for delivery. She reportedly gave birth to a baby girl at the hospital. However, moments after the delivery, the newborn allegedly slipped from the hands of hospital staff and fell onto the floor during post-delivery handling.

Family members of the infant alleged that negligence by the medical staff directly led to the death of the newborn. They claimed the baby sustained severe injuries after hitting the floor and died shortly thereafter.

The grieving family members accused the hospital authorities of irresponsibility and demanded strict action against those responsible.

The incident triggered chaos and tension inside the hospital premises as relatives of the deceased child and local residents gathered in large numbers and protested against the alleged negligence. Emotional scenes unfolded at the health centre, with family members alleging that proper care and attention were not provided during the crucial post-delivery period.

Following the unrest, Rengali Police reached the spot and initiated an investigation into the incident. Police personnel attempted to pacify the agitated crowd and bring the situation under control. Authorities have reportedly started collecting statements from hospital staff and the victim’s family members to ascertain the exact circumstances surrounding the newborn’s death.

So far, no official statement has been issued by either the hospital administration or the police authorities regarding the allegations. The incident has once again intensified concerns over the quality of healthcare services and accountability in government-run medical institutions in rural areas.

Locals have demanded a fair probe into the incident and strict action if negligence on the part of hospital staff is established. The death of the newborn has cast a shadow of grief across the area and reignited debate over patient safety and medical responsibility in public healthcare centres.