1-Year-Old’s Death Sparks Outrage Over Hospital Negligence

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Shivansh Joshi, 1, showed signs of dehydration after which he was taken to the hospital.

In a heartbreaking incident, a one-year-old boy named Shivansh Joshi lost his life in Uttarakhand, India, after being shuttled between five hospitals over 180 kilometers. His parents, desperate to save their child, faced alleged medical negligence, inadequate facilities, and delays in care. This tragedy has sparked widespread anger and calls for accountability. AMERICA NEWS WORLD brings you the full story of this devastating case, shedding light on the gaps in India’s healthcare system.

On July 10, Shivansh’s mother noticed he was vomiting and couldn’t breastfeed due to severe dehydration. She rushed him to the public health center (PHC) in Chamoli’s Gwaldam. However, the PHC lacked a pediatrician and proper equipment. As a result, doctors sent the family to the community health center (CHC) in Baijnath, Bageshwar, 22 kilometers away.

At the CHC, Shivansh received some treatment, but his condition worsened. Consequently, the staff referred him to the district hospital in Bageshwar, another 20 kilometers away. Dinesh Chandra Joshi, Shivansh’s father and an Army officer posted in Jammu and Kashmir, alleged that the doctor at the district hospital was distracted by his phone. “The nurses were joking and laughing,” he told NDTV. “No one checked my son properly during this emergency.”

The hospital diagnosed Shivansh with blood flow issues in the brain but lacked a pediatric ICU. Therefore, they sent him to Almora Medical College, 68 kilometers away. The family faced another hurdle: an ambulance delay. Shivansh’s mother called the emergency 108 service at 7 p.m., but the vehicle arrived at 9:30 p.m. after Dinesh contacted the District Magistrate for help. “I was alone, pleading for help, but the staff didn’t care,” the mother said, her voice breaking.

At Almora, the fourth hospital, Shivansh was treated but soon referred to Sushila Tiwari Hospital in Haldwani, Nainital. By July 12, doctors placed him on a ventilator. Sadly, on July 16, the boy passed away. “I protect 144 crore Indians as a soldier, but I couldn’t save my son,” Dinesh said, heartbroken.

Uttarakhand’s Chief Minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami, called the incident “extremely painful.” He ordered a probe, promising strict action against those responsible. “Healthcare is our duty. No one will escape accountability,” he stated on X. The investigation aims to uncover why Shivansh faced such delays and inadequate care across multiple facilities.

This tragedy highlights a deeper issue in India’s rural healthcare system. Many hospitals lack specialized staff and equipment, forcing families to travel long distances for treatment. For instance, the absence of a pediatrician at the Chamoli PHC set off a chain of referrals that cost precious time. Moreover, delays in emergency services, like the late ambulance, worsened the situation.

To illustrate the scale of the problem, here’s a chart showing the distances Shivansh’s family traveled:

This chart, optimized for both mobile and desktop viewing, shows the grueling journey the family endured. Each bar represents a leg of their 180-kilometer ordeal, highlighting the systemic challenges in accessing timely care.

The case has ignited discussions on platforms like Quora and Reddit, where users express frustration over India’s healthcare gaps. Many point out that rural areas often lack basic facilities, forcing families to navigate a maze of referrals. For example, a Reddit user commented, “This isn’t just negligence; it’s a broken system.” Similarly, a Quora thread emphasized the need for better emergency services in remote areas.

Shivansh’s story isn’t unique. A similar case reported by The Indian Express involved a 5-year-old boy in Agra who died due to negligence during a pilgrimage. Such incidents underline the urgent need for reform. To learn more about healthcare challenges, visit AMERICA NEWS WORLD for in-depth coverage.

5 Hospitals, 180 km: 1-Year-Old Uttarakhand Boy Dies After Medical Negligence

Taking note of the “unfortunate incident”, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has ordered an investigation.

Reported by:Kishor Kumar Rawat
Edited by:Aastha Ahuja
India News
Aug 01, 2025 10:57 am IST
- Published OnAug 01, 2025 10:52 am IST
- Last Updated OnAug 01, 2025 10:57 am IST

Read Time:3 mins

5 Hospitals, 180 km: 1-Year-Old Uttarakhand Boy Dies After Medical Negligence

Shivansh Joshi, 1, showed signs of dehydration after which he was taken to the hospital

A one-year-old boy, suffering from dehydration, died allegedly due to medical negligence after he was referred to five hospitals across four districts in Uttarakhand. Shivansh Joshi, the son of an Army officer, Dinesh Chandra Joshi, allegedly faced inadequate service, lack of medical attention and recklessness of medical professionals. Taking note of the “unfortunate incident”, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has ordered an investigation.

On July 10, when little Shivansh showed signs of dehydration, including regular vomiting and could not be breastfed, his mother took him to the public health centre (PHC) in Chamoli’s Gwaldam. From there, the boy was referred to the community health centre in Bageshwar’s Baijnath, 22 km away. The PHC reportedly didn’t have a paediatrician or facilities to attend to the child.

The child was taken to the CHC, where he was treated, but as his condition deteriorated, he was further referred to the district hospital in Bageshwar, another 20km away.

The doctor on duty at the emergency ward of a district hospital was busy on his mobile phone, the boy’s father alleged. Nurses were also busy joking and laughing, he added.

“Neither the doctor nor the other staff talked politely. Even during the emergency, the doctor did not check my 14-month-old son properly and instead, referred him to Almora,” he said, speaking to NDTV.

Parents of Shubham Joshi, one-year-old Uttarakhand boy, who died due to alleged medical negligence

Parents of Shivansh Joshi, one-year-old Uttarakhand boy, who died due to alleged medical negligence

The public’s outrage is growing, with many demanding better training for medical staff and improved facilities. Dinesh Joshi asked a poignant question: “If a soldier faces court-martial for neglecting duty, why don’t doctors face similar consequences?” His words resonate with parents everywhere who fear losing their children to systemic failures.

For more stories on healthcare and social issues, check out AMERICA NEWS WORLD. We’re committed to bringing you the truth, no matter where it happens. Stay informed and join the conversation about fixing these critical issues.