Alleged medical negligence leaves child with post-injection nerve injury

From a Correspondent

TANGLA, April 4:In a bizaare incident, an infant’s left leg was allegedly paralysed post-injection at Orang Primary Health Centre due to the negligence of medical staff.

Reportedly,BahadurChetry and Lila Chetry, residents of Rowmari under Mazbat Revenue Circle of Udalguri, had sought treatment of their 8-year old son at Orang PHC. As per the prescription, the child was given an injection on February 20. Though the child experienced pain and was uble to move his left limb, the GNM Ela Kalita dismissed it as typical post-shot soreness. But it did not go away. The child was admitted to Tezpur Medical College and Hospital where doctors referred him to GMCH.

According to the neurologists, the child has post-injection sciatic nerve injury.A neurologist explaining it saying, “The child suffered from a condition called sciatica, which is an injury in the sciatic nerve. This has affected the movement and sensation on the lower limbs.”

The incident has left the child in a state of paralysis. Though doctors confirmed that the condition will persist for one year, the child will need timely medical attention and may have to undergo physiotherapy treatment, which is preferred while treating paralysis.

With the demand of bearing the complete cost of the treatment of the affected child, immediate inquiry into the incident, immediate arrest of the GNM, Ela Kalita and monetary compensation of Rs 5 lakh, a memoramdum was submitted to the Deputy Commissioner of Udalguri, addressed to the Joint Director of Health Udalguri and the State Health Minister, by MASS Udalguri district committee, garik and Jourlists Adhikar Suraksha Committee and family members of the victim.