Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday ordered a high-level inquiry into the death of a one-and-a-half-year-old boy in Bageshwar district, who allegedly lost his life due to delays in receiving timely medical treatment caused by multiple hospital referrals.
Calling the incident “extremely painful and unfortunate,” Dhami directed the Kumaon Commissioner to lead the probe. “Initial information suggests negligence by officials or healthcare staff in performing their duties. If any indifference is confirmed, strict action will be taken,” the Chief Minister said in an official statement.
He further emphasized, “No laxity will be tolerated when it comes to safeguarding the lives and trust of the people.”
The child, identified as Shubhanshu Joshi, was the son of soldier Dinesh Chandra Joshi from Chidanga village in Chamoli district. On July 10, as Shubhanshu’s condition worsened, his family first rushed him to Gwaldam hospital. Due to the lack of necessary medical facilities, he was referred to Baijnath hospital and subsequently to Bageshwar district hospital.
Despite the family’s urgent efforts and repeated transfers between hospitals, the toddler died before he could receive advanced medical care.
