NAGPUR May 7: Medical Officer, Dr Dalal, attached to the Hingna Primary Health Centre (PHC), has been held responsible for the death of a young patient. A high-level enquiry committee appointed to enquire into the death of a young girl from Hingna, found the doctor guilty of dereliction of duty. Acting on the report, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nagpur Zilla Parishad relieved him of the charge and asked him to present before the Directorate of Health Services. The CEO is learnt to have recommended suspension of the Medical Officer followed by a departmental enquiry. Dr Dalal was accused of neglecting his PHC duty and indulging in private practice. On April 15, when a young patient, Priyanka Kamdi, was brought to the Hingna PHC, the Medical Officer was not present. Dalal was in Nagpur city attending his private clinic.

In the absence of medical attention at PHC, Priyanka's condition deteriorated. She was then shifted to a private nursing home in Nagpur and died at the nursing home.

The incident generated a strong wave of protest in the tahsil town of Hingna and nearby villages. The townspeople submitted a memorandum to the ZP and Health Department officials. The matter was was also brought to the notice of the ministers. Due to public pressure, an enquiry committee consisting of Deputy CEO Bhelkar, Additional District Health Officer Dr P P Medpalliwar and Social Welfare Officer, was appointed.

The committee, after visiting the Hingna PHC and recording statements, came to the conclusion that there was truth in the charges levelled against the Medical Officer. On interrogation, Dr Dalal admitted that he was running a clinic in Nagpur city and doing private practice at the quarter allotted to him in Hingna.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.