Minor motherhood in Odisha school: Newborn in MKCG, critical

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Brahmapur, Feb 2:

The class X minor girl of Lingagada Girls’ High School under G Udaygiri block in Odisha’s Kandhamal district and her 9-day-old baby boy have been shifted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital on Sunday as the underweight child is suffering from jaundice and his condition is said to be grim.

While the baby has been admitted to the neonatal care unit (NNCU), the mother is admitted to labour unit of the Southern Odisha’s premier referral hospital, MKCG Medical College and Hospital for recuperation.

The mother and child were initially admitted to Phulbani hospital, but had to be shifted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital here later as the condition of the newborn deteriorated.

The chairperson of Odisha State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (OSCPCR), district child welfare committee (CWC) and the local MLA met health officials and asked them to provide all possible care to them.

Earlier on Saturday, ASP Ashok Sahu, G Udaygiri SDPO Sesadev Bariha and investigating officer Sukkumari Hansda visited the school as part of the ongoing investigation process.

The 15-year-old girl student, the daughter of a labourer and a resident of Tiangiakalinaju village under Katingia gram panchayat in G Udayagiri block, was residing in the school hostel managed by the ST & SC Development and Minorities & Backward Classes Welfare Department of the state government.

Odisha State Commission for Women (OSCW), taking suo motu cognizance of the case, constituted a three-member team on January 29 to inquire into the matter.

The probe team consisting of a lady member from the Commission and a DSP level officer had visited the school for an on-field inquiry.

It may be recalled that the headmaster of the residential school was suspended and two contractual teachers were dismissed following the pregnancy of and child birth by a class X student residing in its hostel. The Odisha Administrative Tribunal, however, has stayed the dismissal of one of the two teachers.

Besides, the administration had also disengaged an Auxiliary Nurse and Midwife (ANM) attached to the school. On January 23 night, a girl student of class X of the school gave birth to a boy in the hostel before she could be taken to a nearest hospital.