Tribal woman gives birth on road after UP hospital denies admission; doctor fired

20-year-old tribal woman gave birth outside Uttar Pradesh's Bhadohi district hospital after she was allegedly denied admission; an inquiry found negligence by hospital staff, leading to disciplinary action.

In Short

• Woman alleged hospital staff refused admission due to her Musahar community
• Hospital inquiry found negligence; emergency doctor terminated
• Medical officer denied caste bias, cited low haemoglobin as reason for referral

A 20-year-old tribal woman gave birth to a child on the roadside outside Maharaja Chet Singh Government District Hospital in Bhadohi, on the night of September 30 after she was allegedly not admitted to the hospital for delivery. The woman, identified as Rani, later alleged that hospital staff refused to admit her because she belonged to the Musahar community.

Rani had gone to the district hospital with her family for delivery. She alleged that hospital staff told her they would not conduct her delivery. While she and her family were returning from the hospital, she went into labour and gave birth near the hospital campus gate.

After the incident, the women accompanying the family created a ruckus at the hospital, alleging negligence by the health workers. The incident raised questions over healthcare facilities and the handling of emergency cases at the district hospital.

Speaking to media personnel after the delivery, Rani said, “We went to the hospital. The hospital staff said they would not conduct my delivery.” She also said that hospital staff told her, “You are a Musahar, so we will not admit you.”

After the delivery, Rani's family started taking her home. Chief Medical Officer Dr Santosh Chak said he received information at around 8 pm that a pregnant woman had delivered a child on the roadside outside the district hospital. By then, Rani had left for home.

Dr Chak said he immediately reached out to the family and brought Rani back to the district hospital by ambulance. The District Magistrate had also been informed about the incident and directed Dr Chak to first ensure that the woman was shifted to the hospital and then conduct a complete inquiry.

Rani was admitted to the district hospital, where she continued to receive treatment. The gynaecologist and CMS attended to her, and her blood group was matched before plasma was administered. Dr Chak said she would not be sent home under any circumstances until her haemoglobin level reached 9 to 10 grams.

According to the CMO, Rani had first visited the district hospital on Monday. During her examination, doctors found that her haemoglobin level was 5 grams, following which she was referred to the divisional hospital in Mirzapur. Rani went to Mirzapur but later returned.

She again reached the district hospital on Tuesday night. Dr Chak said the staff nurse on duty and the emergency medical officer examined her, while the gynaecologist was also contacted over the phone. Since her haemoglobin level was still 5 grams, she was referred to BHU.

The CMO said Rani and her family members were not educated and could not contact the 102 ambulance service. They started leaving the hospital after the referral, but when they reached the hospital campus gate, Rani went into labour and her family members helped her deliver the baby on the roadside.

Dr Chak had said that the entire matter would be investigated within 24 hours and that strict action would be taken against anyone found responsible. The inquiry has now been completed.

The inquiry found negligence on the part of emergency-duty doctor Dr Pankaj Kumar, who failed 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 the District Magistrate's directions, the health department also sent a letter to the government seeking action against district hospital CMS Dr AK Tiwari and gynaecologist Dr Neelima Dhawan after negligence was found on their part.

The CMO, however, denied the allegation that Rani was refused admission because of her caste. He said she had been referred because of her haemoglobin level of 5 grams.

- Ends
With inputs from Mahesh Kumar Jaiswal.