Paradip, July 3: Tension prevailed at the Kujang Community Health Centre (CHC) in Odisha's Jagatsinghpur district on Thursday night after the death of a 10-month-old boy, who allegedly choked on a plastic soft drink bottle cap. The grieving family accused the attending doctor of medical negligence, triggering a protest at the hospital.

According to reports, the incident occurred around 10 pm. The deceased child, identified as Sai Das, son of Sanjay Das and Mitali Das of Sarala Road under Tirtol police limits, was visiting his maternal relatives at Guamunda village under Kujang police station when he accidentally swallowed the plastic cap of a soft drink bottle.

After noticing the child was in distress, family members rushed him to Balitutha Medical, where doctors were reportedly unable to remove the plastic cap. The infant was then referred to Kujang Community Health Centre for advanced treatment.

At Kujang CHC, the child was treated. Family members alleged that despite informing the doctor that the infant had swallowed a plastic bottle cap, the information was not given due importance during treatment.

While the child was being examined, his breathing reportedly stopped. Doctors attempted cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) by administering chest compressions, but the efforts failed to revive him. The family requested that the child be referred to a higher medical centre in Cuttack. However, they alleged that the doctor declared the infant dead and did not refer him for further treatment.

The situation escalated after the child's mother reportedly removed the plastic bottle cap from the infant's mouth following his death. The incident sparked outrage among family members, who accused the hospital of negligence and staged a protest on the premises.

Police reached the hospital and brought the situation under control. The allegations of medical negligence are yet to be officially confirmed, and further investigation into the incident is underway.