A pregnant woman in Madhya Pradesh was allegedly turned away twice from a health centre where she was rushed to the facility on a hand-cart by her husband. She later delivered a newborn who died hours later, following this, an inquiry has been ordered. The incident took place in Sailana town in the intervening night of March 23 and 24.
Sailana Sub Divisional Magistrate Manish Jain, while speaking to PTI, said that around 9 am on March 23, Krishna Gwala, a resident of Kalika Mata Mandir Road in Sailana took his wife Neetu to the community health centre, but a nurse, Chetna Charel sent them back saying that it would another 2-3 day before Neetu delivered.
“At 1 am, she again experienced labour pains and was rushed to the hospital," Jain said.
They were turned away by nurse Gayatri Patidar, who refused to admit Neetu post examination, saying delivery would be after 15 more hours. After the couple returned home, she felt labour pains again, but this time, her husband took her to the hospital in a hand-cart for the third time.
The video of the man taking his wife to the hospital for a third time went viral on social media.
Enroute, Neetu delivered her baby at 3 am and was later told by health authorities that the newborn had died.
Hospital Management Blamed
"Gwala has blamed the hospital management for the death of the child and has demanded action. A thorough probe will be conducted into this incident," Jain said.
Dr MS Sagar, the in-charge Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) of the district hospital, said Collector Rajesh Batham ordered an inquiry into the death of the newborn.
"The investigation at the district level found negligence in duty. A show-cause notice has been issued to Sailana Block Medical Officer (BMO) Dr PC Koli. A letter has been sent to the state Commissioner of Health Services seeking action against on-duty doctor Shailesh Dange," he said.
Nursing officer Chetna Charel has been suspended with immediate effect, and the services of National Health Mission (NHM) contract nursing officer Gayatri Patidar have been terminated in connection with the incident.