Health dept team to inspect Domkyrkoh village today ** Reports sought from Health, Block, PWD officials
Shillong, Oct 5: Unfortunate death of a three-year-old child on the way to the hospital in a remote region in West Khasi Hills has raised many questions with the government seeking detailed reports from Health, Block and PWD officials.
Reports have been sought from the Block Development Officer, Rambrai, District Medical and Health Officer, West Khasi Hills, and the Executive Engineer, PWD (Roads), to establish the sequence of events.
As per preliminary reports, the child fell critically ill at Domkyrkoh under Ramrai block before being taken to the hospital.
Domkyrkoh falls under Mawkhiat Sub-Centre, a PM-ABHIM facility functional for the past year and located about one-and-a-half hours on foot from the village.
Emergency transport under the Chief Minister’s Safe Motherhood Scheme (CMSMS) exists in the region but could not be activated as “local health workers were not informed about the child’s illness before or during the onset of symptoms”, according to district administration.
It also mentioned about remoteness of Domkyrkoh, saying, to reach the village, vehicles have to pass through Mainop village and the road turns non-motorable in heavy rain.
There is scarce public transport on the route.
To address connectivity, the administration said, the 10-km road project — “Road from 4th Km of Rambrai-Mawrok PMGSY Road to Nonglang via Domkyrkoh, Phase-I” — has been sanctioned under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF).
“The proposed road will provide direct connectivity to Domkyrkoh and improve access for the wider Mawdet area and adjoining habitations… substantially improve all-weather mobility and access to healthcare, emergency services,” it noted.
As an immediate step, a multi-disciplinary health team will carry out an on-ground inspection at Domkyrkoh on October 6, followed by more visits to assess healthcare needs and emergency response challenges.
“The findings will guide the District Administration in taking appropriate immediate measures to strengthen healthcare access and emergency response in the area,” it said, adding that PWD (Roads) will be asked to expedite execution of the CRIF road.
“The District Administration expresses its deepest concern over the tragic loss of the young child and reiterates its commitment to closely monitor the situation,” the statement added.
