Telangana teen dies after injection at rural clinic; police probe negligence charges
Hyderabad: A 14-year-old girl died after reportedly developing severe breathing difficulties soon after receiving an injection at a rural clinic in Telangana's Khammam district, prompting a police investigation into allegations of medical negligence.
The girl, a class VIII student at the Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV) in Baswapuram, was taken to a local Rural Medical Practitioner's (RMP) clinic on Sunday evening after she complained of cold and fever, according to her family.
Her father, Challa Ramesh, said the RMP at Sampath Clinic examined her and administered an injection. Shortly afterwards, her condition worsened and she began experiencing serious breathing difficulties, the family said.
The girl was rushed to a private hospital in Khammam, where doctors examined her and performed an ECG. Despite efforts, she was declared dead.
The sudden death has raised questions about the treatment provided at the clinic. The family has alleged that the injection directly caused her death. However, the exact medical cause of death has not yet been established, and authorities have said that any link between the injection and the death remains subject to investigation.
Following the incident, Ramesh filed a complaint with the police on Monday, alleging negligence in his daughter's treatment. Police have registered a case and begun an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death. The RMP is reported to be absconding.
The case highlights concerns about the role of RMPs, who are not formally qualified doctors but often serve as primary healthcare providers in rural India. Their practice operates in a legal grey area, and incidents such as this underscore the risks patients may face when seeking care from unlicensed practitioners.
Authorities are expected to examine whether there was any lapse in treatment and to determine the exact sequence of events that led to the student's death. Until medical and investigative findings are available, the allegations of negligence remain unproven.
The incident has saddened the local community, where the girl was known as a diligent student. Her family is awaiting the outcome of the investigation and has called for a thorough inquiry.
Police have said they are taking the matter seriously and will act based on evidence. The post-mortem report and other medical investigations will be crucial in establishing the cause of death.
This case also brings attention to the broader issue of healthcare access in rural Telangana, where shortages of qualified doctors often force residents to rely on RMPs for common ailments. Public health experts have repeatedly called for stricter regulation and better availability of certified medical professionals in underserved areas.
As the investigation progresses, authorities have urged the public to remain calm and allow the legal process to proceed. The exact circumstances leading to the girl's death are expected to be clarified once the inquiry is complete.
