A 20-year-old woman from Uttar Pradesh’s Musahar community gave birth on the roadside outside Maharaja Chet Singh Government District Hospital in Bhadohi on September 30, after she was allegedly not admitted for delivery.
The woman, identified as Rani Devi, had reached the hospital with her family while experiencing labour pains. Her family alleged that hospital staff refused to admit her because she belonged to the Musahar community.
Rani later told media persons, “We went to the hospital. The hospital staff said they would not conduct my delivery.” She alleged that staff told her, “You are a Musahar, so we will not admit you.”
According to her family, they protested but no senior official intervened. While they were returning home, Rani went into labour near the hospital gate. Her family members helped her deliver the baby on the roadside, while women accompanying them used a sheet as a screen.
CMO Brings Woman Back to Hospital
Chief Medical Officer Dr Santosh Chak said he received information at around 8 pm that a woman had delivered a child outside the district hospital. By then, Rani had already left for home.
Dr Chak contacted the family and brought Rani and her newborn back to the hospital by ambulance. The District Magistrate had also been informed and directed the health department to ensure that the woman received treatment and that the incident was investigated.
Rani was admitted to the emergency ward, where she was examined by the gynaecologist and the Chief Medical Superintendent. Her blood group was matched and plasma was administered.
Dr Chak said Rani would not be discharged until her haemoglobin level improved to between 9 and 10 grams.
Woman Had Earlier Been Referred to Mirzapur and BHU
According to Dr Chak, Rani had first visited the district hospital on Monday. Doctors found that her haemoglobin level was around 5 grams and referred her to the divisional hospital in Mirzapur. She went to Mirzapur but later returned.
She again reached the district hospital on Tuesday night. The staff nurse on duty and emergency medical officer examined her, while the gynaecologist was contacted by phone. Her haemoglobin level was still around 5 grams, following which she was referred to Banaras Hindu University (BHU).
Dr Chak said the family was not educated and could not contact the 102 ambulance service. While they were leaving the hospital after the referral, Rani went into labour near the hospital campus gate and delivered the baby with help from her family.
Inquiry Finds Negligence, Action Taken Against Staff
The health department formed a four-member committee to investigate the incident. The inquiry has now been completed.
According to the findings, emergency-duty doctor Dr Pankaj Kumar was found negligent for failing to attend to the patient. His services were subsequently terminated.
Action was also taken against other hospital staff. One month’s salary of gynaecologist Dr Mukesh Prajapati was withheld, while staff nurse Neelam Maurya was attached to CHC Aurai.
Following directions from the District Magistrate, the health department also wrote to the state government seeking action against district hospital CMS Dr AK Tiwari and gynaecologist Dr Neelima Dhawan after negligence was found on their part.
However, Dr Chak denied that Rani had been refused admission because of her caste. He said she was referred because of her critically low haemoglobin level.
