Sale of babies: All Melvisharam PHC staffs to be shifted

Vellore: Following columns exposing the role of a doctor and health inspector attached to the Melvisharam PHC near Vellore in Ranipet district, all PHC staffs numbering around 20 are to be shifted, official sources revealed.

The paper highlighted on March 31st how two newborn babies born to poor couples were sold to childless persons for money through the machinagtions of the health inspector and the doctor.

Ranipet DD (Health) Dr V Manimaran confirmed that the action was being initiated against the staff following him leading a four-man team to look into the issue after receipt of a petition from a local Muslim association. This was then followed by two more enquiries by officials from the directorate of health and maternity and child care.

Dr Manimaran told DT Next that criminal complaints had been given against those involved to both districts SP Deepa Sathyan and also to the Arcot police station who was also pursuing the matter.

Meanwhile, Dr Dhalakshmi who was involved was shifted to the PHC at Arunkundram about 12 kilometres away while health inspector Subramani was moved to a different area in the same hospital.

However, police officials when asked as to how this case would fan out were not sanguine stating that as the persons who allegedly sold the children had not complained till now the case could go any way.

“It all depends on the initial case is made out and how strong the witnesses will be. The safest thing will for a total departmental enquiry to go into the issue totally and then take the action necessary as otherwise, the case can rebound on the health officials concerned for slackness in not overseeing the issue properly.” “We have sent a list of the staff in the Melvisharam PHC at top official's request and expect transfers any day” Dr Manimaran concluded.