Fatal Lapse: DCW issues notice to Safdarjung hospital over delivery of pregnant woman outside hospital building
New Delhi, July 19 : The Delhi Commission for Women on Tuesday issued a notice to Safdarjung hospital over delivery of a pregnant woman outside its building after she was allegedly denied admission by the hospital.
In its notice to Safdarjung hospital, the commission has asked the hospital to furnish details regarding the sequence of events and an enquiry report in the matter. The commission has also sought reasons for the alleged denial of admission to the woman despite her serious medical condition which ultimately forced her to deliver the baby right outside the hospital building, DCW statement stated.
DCW Chairperson, Swati Maliwal, said, “Such incidents where even reputed government hospitals deny admission and care to critical patients, break the trust of common people in the public healthcare system. I have issued a notice to Safdarjung hospital and have asked the authorities to fix accountability in the matter.”
The commission took suo motu cognizance in the matter after it received a purported video. In the purported video, the pregnant woman can be seen surrounded by a group of ladies who are assisting her in her delivery. Also, a woman can be seen in the purported video claiming that the pregnant woman was outside the hospital the whole night as the doctors allegedly refused to admit her in the hospital, it stated.
The commission has also asked for details of staff responsible for this negligence and action taken against them by the hospital authorities. Further, the commission has enquired as to whether any staff or doctor of the hospital assisted the woman in her delivery outside the building of the hospital. Information has also been sought regarding the protocols followed by the hospital in emergency cases.
The Commission has asked the hospital to provide the sought information latest by July 25.
