A newborn boy lost his life at a community health center (CHC) in Karhal, Mainpuri, Uttar Pradesh. allegedly due to neglect by a nurse who demanded a bribe of Rs 5,100 before handing over the child to the family. The incident occurred after the nurse reportedly left the baby on a table, barely wrapped in a cloth, for approximately 40 minutes. The baby’s father, Sujit Kumar, stated that despite their pleas, the nurse refused to hand over the baby unless the payment was made. By the time the family could arrange the money, the child’s condition had worsened, and he died while being transported to another medical facility.
The “golden hour” immediately following birth is crucial for establishing mother-baby bonding, providing skin-to-skin contact, and helping the baby adapt to life outside the womb. However, this opportunity was reportedly denied to the family due to the nurse’s alleged demands for payment. On Monday, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. RC Gupta confirmed that a three-member panel had been appointed to investigate the incident. The role of an ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) worker is also under scrutiny. The CMO assured that appropriate action would be taken if any negligence is discovered.
Sujit Kumar, a resident of Onha Patara in the Kurra area, stated that he had admitted his wife, Sanjali, to CHC Karhal on September 18, when she began experiencing labor pains. According to Kumar, the medical staff on duty misbehaved with his wife and failed to provide adequate care. Sanjali gave birth to a baby boy at around 4 am the following day. Following the delivery, the medical staff allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs 5,100. Since the family could not pay the amount immediately, the nurse, identified as Jyoti, wrapped the baby in a cloth and placed him on a table.
When the child’s health began to deteriorate, the family reportedly informed the medical staff, who then referred the newborn to Saifai Medical College. Unfortunately, the baby passed away on the way to the hospital. According to the father’s complaint, doctors at Saifai Medical College stated that the newborn died due to inadequate care during delivery. Sujit Kumar subsequently wrote a letter to the district magistrate, the CMO, and higher authorities in Lucknow, demanding action against those responsible.
In his letter, Kumar detailed how the staff’s neglect and demand for a bribe ultimately led to the tragedy. The family had also requested the ASHA worker on duty to call a doctor when there was a delay in the delivery. However, the ASHA worker assured them that Jyoti was a doctor. Later, the family discovered that Jyoti was, in fact, a nurse.
The case has sparked outrage over the alleged negligence and malpractice at the community health center. The refusal to provide adequate care, unless a bribe was paid highlights the critical flaws and corruption that exist in certain parts of the healthcare system, ultimately compromising patient safety and well-being. The family’s ordeal also raises serious concerns about the behavior of healthcare staff towards patients, particularly during such a vulnerable and crucial time as childbirth.
The investigation by the three-member panel will scrutinize the actions of both the nurse and the ASHA worker to determine if negligence was involved. The authorities have pledged that appropriate action will be taken based on the findings of the investigation. In the meantime, the grieving family continues to demand justice for the tragic loss of their newborn, which they believe was entirely preventable had proper care been provided without unlawful demands for payment.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Ankur Deka/MSM)
