Negligent Orissa doctor suspended

Three days after the death of a 5-year-old girl who allegedly died when her injuries were being dressed under the light of candles following power failure at one of the referral hospitals,the government on Monday suspended a doctor for negligence.

The child had suffered grievous head injuries following a wall collapse at her village in Pipili of Puri district. When her mother brought her to the Capital Hospital on Friday night,there was a power outage for about 45 minutes. In their bid to save the child,doctors arranged some candles and torches to dress the injuries,but the child died.

As the matter stoked a public furore,the state government on Sunday ordered a probe by a two-member committee which found that the doctor had asked a ward attendant to dress the injuries,instead of doing it himself. Dr N K Mohanty was immediately put under suspension,said Gangadhar Rath,the chief medical officer of Capital Hospital.

Showcause notices were served on two other doctors,who were on duty and a junior engineer of the electrical division in charge of electricity maintenance of the hospital.