Daijiworld Media Network – Ganjam

Ganjam, Aug 25: The proprietor of a nursing home in Odisha’s Ganjam district has been arrested for allegedly conducting a delivery without any medical qualification, leading to the tragic death of both the mother and her newborn.

Police said Mangulu Charan Pradhan (35), a resident of Dengausta, along with two Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs), carried out the delivery on May 11 in the absence of a registered medical practitioner. The woman, identified as Roji Nayak of Korakhandi, was admitted to the nursing home after the family was assured that all facilities for a safe delivery were available.

“After four hours of labour, the delivery was conducted by the accused without any qualified doctor. The newborn was declared dead soon after birth, while Roji died on the way to MKCG Medical College and Hospital,” a police officer stated.

Digapahandi police station inspector-in-charge Prasant Kumar Patra confirmed that Pradhan was arrested from his village following a complaint by Roji’s husband, Babu Nayak.

The two ANMs, Madhusmita Pattanayak and Pramodini Gamango, have already been arrested earlier — on May 19 and August 10 respectively — for their alleged involvement in the incident.