Meghalaya authorities seek report after child dies during trek to hospital

Authorities in Meghalaya’s West Khasi Hills district have sought a detailed report after a three-year-old boy died while his family was carrying him to a point where they could find transport to a healthcare centre. B. Syiem, the headman of Domkyrkoh village, said the child died in his mother’s arms before she could cover about 10 kilometres of hilly road to Mawdet.

The family began the journey after the child’s condition deteriorated during the night of October 1. Syiem said the parents had tried to arrange a vehicle, but drivers declined to travel to the village because of poor road conditions. Family members then set out on foot the next morning in an attempt to reach transport.

Villagers blamed inadequate surface connectivity for the death and urged the State government to improve the road to Domkyrkoh. Videos appearing on social media of relatives carrying the child prompted discussion about emergency healthcare access in remote parts of Meghalaya. The district administration has asked officials concerned to submit a detailed report.

Local residents said a 10-kilometre road through three villages had been sanctioned months earlier at an estimated cost of ₹25 crore. The project is intended to improve access to healthcare, markets and other essential services. Separately, the West Khasi Hills administration has created a two-member committee to examine complaints related to recruitment of staff nurses at the Mother and Child Health Hospital in Nongstoin.

The inquiry followed allegations of gratification, bribery, extortion, coercion and other irregularities, which disrupted interviews on September 29. A district official said shortlisted candidates would be able to submit statements to the committee at the Deputy Commissioner’s office from October 5 to 9.