The residents of Arlapadavu on Thursday said that the alleged heckling of the District Health Officer Ramakrishna Rao at the Primary Health Centre on Monday was reflection of their ire against a private hospital in Mangaluru.
The residents carried out demonstration outside Panaje Primary Health Centre on March 23 by placing the body of 70-year-old Poovakka, who died after operation in a city hospital in Mangaluru under Vajpayee Arogyashree Health Scheme. A 9-yr-old girl from the same village, who had also been operated upon at the same hospital, died on March 19.
After the heckling of Dr. Rao, police had to use lathi-charge to disperse the crowd.
Dr. Rao and other government doctors on Wednesday carried out a protest against the conduct of the villagers and sought action.
Babu Rai, a social activist and local resident, told The Hindu on Thursday that they were angry over negligence of the private hospital that led to deaths of 70-year-old Povakka and 9-year-old Ayaishat Hasina. Three other residents, who had undergone operation, were serious, he said.
“We wanted explanation from doctors. We have nothing against government doctors. The District Health Officer was caught in the mele. We did express our regret over the turn of events to Dr. Rao,” said Seetharam Rai, elder son of deceased Poovakka.
“You have to understand the trauma we are going through loosing my mother, who was healthy before the operation”.
