Bhubaneswar, Aug 7: A Class 10 student of Kasturba Gandhi Residential School at Durgi under Bissamcuttack block in Odisha's Rayagada district died on Friday while undergoing treatment at a private hospital after suffering from fever, diarrhoea and vomiting. The incident has triggered allegations of negligence against the hostel authorities and raised concerns over healthcare facilities in residential schools.

The deceased was identified as Bhumika Ganta, a resident of Lanjipadar village in the district.

According to school authorities, Bhumika developed fever on August 5 and was immediately taken by the hostel warden to the Durgi Primary Health Centre, where she received treatment before returning to the hostel.

However, her condition reportedly worsened on Thursday night after she developed severe diarrhoea and vomiting. She was again rushed to the Durgi PHC, but as her health failed to improve, the school authorities informed her family.

Her parents shifted her to the Bissamcuttack Community Health Centre, from where she was referred to the nearby Christian Hospital for advanced treatment. Despite the efforts of doctors, Bhumika succumbed to her illness on Friday afternoon.

Following her death, the grieving family alleged that negligence by the hostel authorities contributed to the tragedy and staged a brief protest at the hospital premises, demanding accountability.

School officials later held discussions with the family to pacify the situation and arranged an ambulance to transport the body to her native village.

The incident has sparked widespread concern over the quality of medical care and health monitoring available to students residing in government-run residential schools. Meanwhile, the district administration has not yet issued an official statement on the allegations, and further action is awaited.

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