Dumka: The death of a pregnant PVTG woman during an alleged illegal caesarean delivery at a private clinic in Godda district on May 6 has led to an administrative crackdown on unauthorised healthcare establishments.Meera Malto, 25, a Pahariya community woman from Ratanpur Kusum Ghati village, died at the clinic allegedly operating without proper registration at Kedobazar under Sundarpahari police station limits.Acting on deputy commissioner Lokesh Mishra’s directive, a police team led by Godda SDPO Ashok Priyadarshi raided the clinic on Saturday and arrested three persons: clinic operator Mohammad Ansari, 58, alleged quack Mohammad Hemayatulla, 27, and sahiya Sara Malto.Officials seized medical and surgical items, including iron beds, an OT bed, OT lights, an oxygen cylinder, an autoclave machine, saline stands and surgical scissors.Meera was taken to the clinic for a C-section delivery after the designated Mamta Vahan, a govt vehicle meant to transport pregnant women to hospitals, reportedly did not arrive. According to preliminary information, the local sahiya (health worker) arranged for Meera to be shifted to the private clinic instead of a govt facility.During the procedure, her condition allegedly worsened. She was later referred to the Godda Sadar hospital, where she died during treatment, while the newborn survived. Meera was pregnant with her second child.Her 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 for the death.They also accused the sahiya of negligence, alleging that she pushed the family towards the private facility and was in collusion with the clinic’s management.Following the protests, the district administration ordered a wider probe 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,” Godda civil surgeon Dr Subhash Sharma said.
