The Chhattisgarh High Court condemned the situation where a woman forced to deliver her baby on the floor of a primary health centre. The incident occurred because no doctors or nurses were present when she arrived with a Community Health Worker. This highlights severe deficiencies in the healthcare system.
Bilaspur: The Chhattisgarh High Court initiated suo motu proceedings following an incident where a 25-year-old woman gave birth on the floor of a health centre in Surguja district due to the absence of medical staff.
The court described the situation as a “very sorry state of affairs.”
The High Court directed the Secretary of the Health Department to submit a personal affidavit regarding the matter.
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A bench consisting of Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Sachin Singh Rajput took cognizance of a newspaper report on Monday, which detailed the incident that took place on June 8 at the Navanagar Sub-Health Centre (SHC) in the absence of doctors and nurses.
The report indicated that the woman, who was in labor, arrived at the SHC accompanied by a Mitanin (Community Health Worker). Due to the lack of medical personnel, she compelled to deliver her baby on the health centre’s floor. The High Court order highlighted these details from the newspaper report.
The family of the woman attempted to contact the medical staff, who did not respond. Consequently, a community health worker assisted with the delivery, the report stated.
Postnatal care also provided by a traditional midwife from the village, as only a Class IV employee present at the health center. The news report further mentioned that this was not the first time such an incident had occurred, according to the bench.
The bench added,
“It is deeply concerning if this situation persists at SHC, Navanagar. Despite the state government spending substantial amounts to provide medical facilities to remote areas, it is troubling that the responsible authorities and staff are absent when most needed. The state must implement stringent measures,”
Additional Advocate General Yashwant Singh Thakur informed the high court that the involved medical officer has been immediately suspended and an inquiry has been initiated. Regarding the nurse on duty, it was reported that she had an accident, but no corroborating documents have been provided, as stated in the order.
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The bench instructed the Health and Social Welfare Department secretary to submit a personal affidavit detailing the actions taken concerning the incident. Additionally, the bench ordered the secretary to ensure that the viral video of the incident is immediately stopped from further circulation.
The secretary must also update the court on any measures taken to appoint a new Medical Officer at the concerned SHC.
According to the information provided, the incident in question took place at a primary health centre in Navanagar on June 8. The following day, on June 9, Dr. PN Rajwade, who served as the Block Medical Officer of the area, suspended due to prima facie negligence in the matter.