Silvester D’Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (EP)
Kundapur, Jun 7: A probe took place on Tuesday June 6 into the shocking incident where a pregnant woman experiencing labour pains at Kundapur government hospital was allegedly refused medical help due to unavailibility of doctors.
The investigation conducted by Dr Udayashankar, chief medical officer in the hospital, comprised versions of the family members of Asha, and the nurses of the hospital.
The family members of Asha have alleged that the hospital staff did not provide an ambulance though there were two ambulances in the hospital, and also that they refused to admit Asha, who was experiencing severe labour pains at that point of time.
Dr Udayashankar said that report of the investigation will be submitted to Udupi district medical officer and suitable action will be taken at the earliest.
It may be recalled that Asha, wife of Koni resident Santhosh had gone from her mother’s house at Haluvalli to the government hospital on June 4, late night due to labour pains. Vinaya and Shanti, the nurses on duty in the hospital said that the victim will not deliver for another two days and asked the victim’s family to go to Udupi as there was no doctor in the hospital.
Asha's aunt, inevitably telephoned Dr Chandrashekar who had been treating Asha. But the doctor replied that he was unable to come as he was on leave and advised Asha and her family members to go to Udupi. The hospital ambulance was parked in the premises, but the staff refused to let Asha use it. An auto driver who was passing by stopped, despite having passengers in his auto. After listening to the trouble the women were in, he asked his passengers to get down and took the distressed women to a private hospital in Kundapur.