A case of alleged medical negligence has emerged from Hazaribagh, Jharkhand, where a government hospital denied admission to a pregnant woman, claiming the unborn child had died. The woman subsequently sought care at a private hospital, where she gave birth to a healthy baby. The incident has triggered an investigation by the authorities.
Vinod Saw explained that he brought his wife, Manisha Devi, to Sheikh Bhikhari Medical College and Hospital in Hazaribagh after a 120-kilometer journey from the Chalkusha block. However, nurses reportedly cited low hemoglobin and informed him that the fetus was no longer alive.
Undeterred, Vinod Saw took his wife to a private hospital in the district, where she successfully delivered a healthy infant. He expressed his appreciation to the medical professionals at St. Columba Mission Hospital for the safe delivery.
Following the incident, Hazaribagh’s Deputy Commissioner, Shashi Prakash Singh, ordered an investigation into the matter. He directed the Superintendent of Sheikh Bhikhari Medical College and Hospital to form a committee to investigate the incident, emphasizing the government’s responsibility to provide accessible healthcare. ‘Government hospitals are meant to provide better treatment to patients at lower costs, but treatment was denied here,’ stated Singh.
Dr. Praveen Kumar, the owner of the private hospital, reported that after Manisha’s admission, several essential tests were performed, yielding satisfactory results. The mother then delivered a healthy baby. ‘Both mother and newborn are healthy,’ Dr. Kumar confirmed.