A pregnant woman walked 20km after MP hospital denied her treatment, baby died shortly after delivery

Post Date: Saturday, August 5, 2017

In a shocking case of apathy from health officials in Madhya Pradesh, a new born baby died after the mother who was forced to walk 20 km and delivered the baby on the road.

The incident happened in Katni district of Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday. Beena, resident of Barmani village, decided to walk 20 km to Barhi community health centre with her husband as the ambulance failed to arrive and she was feeling labour pain.

Her family members alleged that they had called the community health centre for an ambulance, but it didn't come. She reached Barhi town, but delivered a baby girl on the road, near a police station. The family members alleged that the baby died as she fell to the ground.

However, the chief medical and health officer (CMHO) of the district Ashok Avadhia said the newborn could not survive as she was born prematurely, in the seven months of pregnancy.

Asked why no ambulance was sent, he said it wasn't available at the Barhi community health centre. "Janani Express (108 ambulance service for pregnant women) is not under our control. It is made available through Bhopal," he said.

Source: India Times, 1st August 2017