Rayagada: A Class 10 student of Kasturba Gandhi Residential School at Durgi under Bissamcuttack block in Rayagada district died on Friday while undergoing treatment at a private hospital after falling ill with fever, diarrhoea and vomiting.
The deceased was identified as Bhumika Ganta, a resident of Lanjipadar village.
According to school authorities, Bhumika developed fever on August 5 and was taken by the hostel warden to the Durgi Primary Health Centre for treatment. After receiving medical care, she was brought back to the hostel.
Her health reportedly deteriorated on Thursday night when she developed severe diarrhoea and vomiting. She was again shifted to the Durgi Primary Health Centre. As her condition failed to improve, the school authorities informed her parents.
Her family subsequently admitted her to the Bissamcuttack Community Health Centre before she was referred to the local Christian Hospital for advanced treatment. She died at the hospital on Friday afternoon.
Following her death, family members alleged that negligence on the part of the hostel authorities had led to the tragedy. The allegations triggered a brief protest at the hospital.
School authorities later held discussions with the grieving family to defuse the situation and arranged for the body to be transported to her native village by ambulance.
The incident has sparked concern over the medical response and healthcare monitoring of students staying in residential schools. No official statement has yet been issued by the district administration regarding the allegations raised by the family.
