The death of an eight-year-old tribal student, Srushti Raju Shid, on December 19 has raised serious concerns over the availability of adequate healthcare facilities in Uran Taluka. Srushti, a Class III student at Chirner Ashram School, reportedly succumbed to an infection after facing delays in accessing proper medical care. 

Srushti, a resident of Wakdi village in Panvel, was enrolled at the Shri Swami Samarth Shikshan Prasarak Mandal’s government-aided ashram school in Chirner. The school serves over 240 tribal children from Uran, Panvel, and surrounding areas. 

The sequence of events began on the morning of December 18, when Srushti complained of chest pain to her classmates, who informed the school staff. Acting on the information, the school’s principal, Appasaheb More, contacted the Koproli Primary Health Centre (PHC). However, due to limited resources at the PHC, doctors advised transferring her to the Sub-District Hospital in Panvel. 

The principal promptly informed Srushti’s parents and, with the help of staff, transported her to the Panvel Sub-District Hospital. Despite efforts, her condition worsened, leading to a referral to MGM Hospital in Kamothe for advanced care. Srushti passed away during treatment. 

Preliminary reports indicate the cause of death was likely an infection, though further investigation is underway. Senior Police Inspector Jitendra Misal of Uran Police Station confirmed that inquiries into the matter are ongoing. 

Srushti’s death has put a spotlight on the urgent need for better healthcare infrastructure in Uran Taluka. Local residents and community leaders have expressed concerns over the lack of a hospital with advanced facilities in the area. Reports suggest that similar incidents have occurred previously, highlighting systemic gaps in healthcare access.