Woman delivers stillborn baby outside labour room

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, January 28

The Senior Medical Officer of Mother and Child Hospital (MCH) has formed a three-member inquiry committee to investigate the matter where a pregnant woman was forced to deliver a baby outside the labour room.

The incident occurred on Sunday when most of the staff was on holiday on account of Republic Day. Lalita Devi (28) from Durga Colony was brought to the hospital in labour pain.

Lalita and her husband Phool Chand have alleged that they were denied entry into the labour room by a Class IV employee who spoke rudely to them. Meanwhile, the woman, who was made to sit in a park outside the hospital, delivered a stillborn baby there.

The Civil Surgeon, Dr Rajesh Bagga, said he had written to the SMO of MCH and asked them to file a report to him after conducting an inquiry. “Anybody who is at fault will not be spared,” he said.

Dr Malvinder Mala, Senior Medical Officer of MCH, said she had formed a three-member committee which would inquire into the matter and submit a report within two days.

Dr Mala said: “The patient was already in the process of expulsion when she came to the hospital. She was 18 weeks pregnant. It was inevitable. As far as the behaviour of the staff is concerned, it will be probed and anybody found guilty will be dealt with sternly. It will also be a warning call for everyone in the staff to behave properly with patients,” she said.

Phool Chand has been called by the SMO to take his version on the incident.