A nurse and her assistant have been arrested in connection with the death of an ASHA worker during childbirth at an illegally operated hospital in the Kon area of Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh, police said on Tuesday.
Arrests and Reward
Nurse Salma, who was arrested on Monday, was carrying a reward of Rs 10,000 announced by the Superintendent of Police. Her assistant Jaurun has also been arrested. The main accused, Naseem Ahmad, the operator of the unregistered Global Hospital and Surgical Centre in Kon, remains absconding. A reward of Rs 25,000 has been declared for his capture.
Details of the Incident
According to Kon Station House Officer Akhilesh Kumar Mishra, Seema Devi, 36, wife of Devnarayan and a resident of Bagesoti village, was admitted to the hospital on Friday for delivery. After a surgical procedure, she gave birth to a baby boy but died shortly afterward on Saturday. An FIR was registered by Medical Officer and Nodal Officer Dr. Kirti Anand Bind based on a complaint from the deceased woman's husband.
Allegations of Negligence
Family members alleged that Devi was initially taken to the Kachnarwa Primary Health Centre and later referred to the Kon Community Health Centre. An ambulance under the 108 emergency service was made available for her transfer. However, the family claims that the ambulance personnel did not take her to the government facility but instead transported her to the unregistered Global Hospital and Surgical Centre, where the delivery was performed.
District Magistrate Charchit Gaur stated that an inquiry and necessary action have been ordered into the woman's death at the illegally operated hospital. Preliminary information suggests that the patient was referred from the PHC to the CHC, Kon, but was allegedly taken by ambulance staff to the unregistered private facility. The doctor associated with the hospital fled after the woman's death. The body has been sent for post-mortem, and the hospital has been sealed. A case has been registered against Naseem Ahmad and others, and further legal action is being taken.
Political Reaction
Samajwadi Party national secretary and former MLA Avinash Kushwaha alleged that private hospitals have become 'centres of death' and accused the health department of failing to act against irregularities. He claimed that deaths are repeatedly occurring in private hospitals across the district without adequate action. Kushwaha submitted a memorandum to the District Magistrate, demanding a thorough probe into private hospitals, strict action against those responsible for illegal surgeries and deaths, and accountability of health department officials.
