Bihar Anganwadi worker turns up at centre with IV drip to prove she is unwell

An Anganwadi worker in Bihar's Katihar reached her centre with a saline drip after staff allegedly asked her to prove she was ill. The viral video has drawn criticism online and prompted an official probe.

In Short

• Anganwadi worker in Katihar forced to attend work with IV drip
• Video of the incident went viral on social media
• Worker was on leave but asked to prove her illness

An ailing Anganwadi worker was allegedly made to appear at her workplace in Bihar’s Katihar with an IV drip to prove she was unwell.

The incident, reported from an Anganwadi centre in Narayanpur Panchayat, came to light after a video of the episode went viral on social media.

The clip shows Premlata Hembram arriving in a visibly weak condition, with a saline drip attached to her hand while her husband holds the bottle, as she struggles to sit before officials.

Hembram had been on leave due to illness and was undergoing treatment at home. However, during an inspection, Child Development Project Officer Veena Bharti allegedly questioned her absence and asked for proof of her condition.

According to staff present at the centre, they were told to call the worker in person. The officer, however, is heard in the video maintaining that she had only asked them to take photographs or videos as evidence of the illness.

Fearing for her job, Hembram travelled to the centre despite her condition to demonstrate that she was genuinely unwell.

The visuals have since triggered criticism online, with many questioning the lack of empathy shown towards frontline workers.

Katihar District Magistrate Ashutosh Dwivedi said two versions of the incident have emerged. “The officer claims she asked for a photograph, while staff allege they were instructed to call the worker. The matter is being investigated,” he said.

He also said that the District Programme Officer of the Integrated Child Development Services has been directed to conduct a detailed probe, and action will be taken based on the findings.

- Ends