A 28-year-old woman from Hingna, Nagpur, has accused the staff of Daga Memorial Government Women Hospital of medical negligence and inhumane treatment during her delivery late Tuesday night. The woman, Deeplata Banode, claims that a lady attendant sat on her chest and used her knees to push the baby in an attempt to facilitate a normal delivery, an action she says endangered her life and resulted in a stillbirth.
Allegations of Inhumane Conduct
According to Deeplata Banode, the attendant's saree covered her face during the act, causing suffocation and severe distress. She stated, 'I was in severe pain. Despite repeated requests, they did not take me for delivery. The attendant climbed on my chest and started pushing with her knees. Her saree covered my face, and I felt suffocated. They did not even show me the baby and simply told me it was born dead.' The family believes the stillbirth was caused by delayed medical intervention and the attendant's conduct.
Hospital's Response
Hospital authorities have denied any link between the attendant's actions and the stillbirth. Senior officials stated that an inquiry committee has been formed, and its report will be submitted to Deputy Director of Health Services Dr. Shashikant Shambharkar by Thursday. Officials claimed that the woman had been in labor for 8 to 10 hours and lacked sufficient strength for uterine pushing. 'The doctor asked the attendant to apply pressure. However, the baby had already passed away in the uterus. The stillbirth is not connected to the attendant's pushing,' they said.
Timeline of Events
According to the woman, she was admitted around 11 a.m. on Tuesday after experiencing labor pain. Her husband, Surendra, alleged that she was not given timely and adequate treatment throughout the day and was shifted to the labor ward only late in the evening. He further alleged that when his wife was taken to the labor ward around 8-9 p.m., she was subjected to harsh and degrading treatment by hospital staff.
Complaint and Demand for Action
Following the incident, the newborn's father, accompanied by corporator Waseem Khan, submitted a written complaint to the police. Khan visited the hospital and met Medical Superintendent Dr. Dilip Madvi, terming the incident 'serious.' He demanded a fair and impartial probe, strict action against those responsible, adequate compensation for the family, and stronger safeguards to prevent recurrence of such incidents.
