Police and health authorities have launched an inquiry into the death of a newborn in Edakkazhiyoor, Chavakkad, after an activist alleged the baby died due to lack of medical treatment following a home delivery.

The complaint was filed by a resident of Puthuponnani in Malappuram district, who said the baby, born on January 4, died on the sixth day after birth. He alleged that neither the mother nor the newborn received injections, vaccinations or any medical assistance.

The complainant also claimed that the couple’s two previous children had died under similar circumstances and alleged that the family relied on acupuncture treatment instead of modern medicine. He said their three-year-old daughter died last year without treatment and that no proper investigation was conducted despite the matter being reported to the police.

Chavakkad Station House Officer V V Vimal said a case cannot be registered solely based on a home birth, but confirmed that an inquiry is underway into the allegations of denial of medical care.

Meanwhile, the Deputy District Medical Officer (DMO), who also serves as the Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) officer, is scheduled to visit the house in Edakkazhiyoor on Friday to assess the situation, said Punnayur Primary Health Centre Medical Officer Dr T G Nitha.

Health department officials, led by the health inspector, have already collected details from local residents and submitted a report to the District Medical Officer. Officials said they had visited the house a day before the baby’s death, but the parents were not present and were uncooperative, preventing ASHA workers and health staff from interacting with the family.

As a result, neither the mother nor the baby received the required vaccinations, officials said. Even after the child’s death, the parents reportedly did not cooperate with health authorities.

The inquiry is ongoing.