Health dept rejects claims of poor treatment in child’s death

Agra: Muzaffarnagar health department on Sunday rejected claims that a six-yr-old boy died due to inadequate medical facilities in Meerapur, calling a video circulated on social media misleading and aimed at defaming govt and health department.Mohammad Ahad, a resident of Mohalla Mushtark in Meerapur, died on Saturday after a handcart allegedly hit him on the head while he was playing with friends in his locality. Locals said the children were pushing the handcart when it went out of control and struck him.Ahad collapsed with a head injury and died while being taken to a hospital in Meerut’s Mawana. After the incident, a video was shared on social media alleging that he died because Meerapur lacked adequate healthcare facilities.Rejecting the allegations, chief medical officer Sunil Tevatia said, “A primary health centre (PHC) is functioning in Meerapur, while community health centres (CHCs) are available nearby in Ramraj and Jansath.”Officials said the video was being examined and appealed to the public not to circulate unverified information.The person making the allegations in the video was identified as Azim Zaidi, who claimed to hold a senior position in Samajwadi Party youth wing. He said, “We have a PHC in Meerapur, and keeping in mind the population, a CHC should be here.”