A 25-year-old pregnant woman from the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) died following an alleged illegal caesarean delivery at a private clinic in Godda district on May 6, prompting an administrative crackdown on unauthorized healthcare establishments in Jharkhand.
Incident Details
Meera Malto, a member of the Pahariya community from Ratanpur Kusum Ghati village, was taken to the clinic at Kedobazar under Sundarpahari police station limits for a C-section. According to preliminary information, the designated Mamta Vahan—a government vehicle meant to transport pregnant women to hospitals—reportedly did not arrive. The local sahiya (health worker) arranged for Meera to be shifted to the private clinic instead of a government facility. During the procedure, her condition allegedly worsened. She was later referred to the Godda Sadar hospital, where she died during treatment. The newborn survived, and Meera was pregnant with her second child.
Administrative Action
Acting on the directive of Deputy Commissioner Lokesh Mishra, a police team led by Godda SDPO Ashok Priyadarshi raided the clinic on Saturday and arrested three individuals: clinic operator Mohammad Ansari (58), alleged quack Mohammad Hemayatulla (27), and sahiya Sara Malto. Officials seized medical and surgical items, including iron beds, an operation theater bed, OT lights, an oxygen cylinder, an autoclave machine, saline stands, and surgical scissors.
Community Outrage
Meera's death sparked outrage among villagers and members of the Pahariya community, who alleged that the clinic was functioning without qualified doctors or adequate medical facilities. Protesters blocked the Sundarpahari main road near Kedobazar and demanded strict action against those responsible. They also accused the sahiya of negligence, alleging she pushed the family towards the private facility and was in collusion with the clinic’s management.
Wider Probe Ordered
Following the protests, the district administration ordered a wider investigation into illegal healthcare establishments in Godda, particularly in rural and tribal areas. “The probe will particularly target establishments functioning without registration, qualified staff, or mandatory health clearances,” said Godda Civil Surgeon Dr. Subhash Sharma. The crackdown aims to prevent such tragedies and ensure access to safe healthcare for vulnerable communities.
