Tension grips Salem as girl dies of dengue

The victim K Jeevitha studying in a private school at Attayampatti in rural Salem is a resident of Malaipiriyampalayam near Kakapalayam, Salem District. It is learnt that she was suffering with high temperature from August 7. Her parents Kandhasamy and Malliga took her to a private hospital. As she tested positive for dengue she was admitted to a private hospital at Kondalampatti.

Her relative Chinnaponnu claimed that Jeevitha’s condition was improving till Monday night. She said that in the early hours of Tuesday the girl’s temperature increased and she had breathing difficulty. 

“But doctors reportedly did not attend on her despite repeated requests. After a long time, a junior doctor administered an injection and she shortly breathed her last,” alleged another relative Kanagaraj. 

Attributing medical negligence, the girl’s relatives picketed the ambulance in which the girl’s body was placed and demanded action against doctors who had treated her. With tension building up, police rushed to the spot and pacified the protesters.