Flash protest after death due to suspected Malaria

A few residents of Jagajeevanramnagar staged a flash protest in front of the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) office on Friday demanding compensation for a labourer who died of Malaria.

Compensation sought

The deceased, Maruthi (36), was rushed to the Victoria Hospital around 11.30 am. He failed to respond to the treatment and passed away at 1 pm.

Maruthi’s relatives and friends decided to stage a protest as soon as the doctors declared that the Malaria claimed his life.

The protesters alleged that the Malaria spread in the area as the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike  officials failed to take any preventive measures. Hence, the Palike should own responsibility for the death and issue a compensation of Rs five lakh immediately, they demanded.

Disciplinary action

The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike higher-ups assured that disciplinary action would be taken against the health inspector and other officials of the area and the compensation issue would be discussed at a meeting on Monday.

When contacted, the Chief Health Officer of the BBMP Dr LT Gayathri said the doctor had written in the death certificate that it was a suspected case of Malaria. ‘I have asked for the medical test report to know the cause of death, which will be available by Monday.

After going through the report, we will be able to say whether or not Malaria was the cause of death’, Dr Gayathri said.