Varanasi: A woman from the Mushar community was allegedly denied admission to a Bhadohi government hospital while in labour. She eventually gave birth outside the hospital, in a public area. Her family alleged that hospital staff refused to attend to her because she belonged to the SC community.UP deputy chief minister Brajesh Pathak took serious note of the incident. Less than 24 hours after a video of the incident went viral, emergency medical officer Dr Pankaj, who was on duty at the time, has been dismissed following the findings of a four-member inquiry team.A recommendation has also been sent to the state govt for action against CMS Dr Ajay Tiwari and Dr Neelima Dhawan. The salary of obstetrician Dr Mukesh Prajapati has been withheld, while staff nurse Neelam Maurya has been transferred.The incident occurred at Maharaja Chet Singh District Hospital in Gyanpur on Tuesday night, when 20-year-old Rani was brought to the facility by ambulance after she went into labour. Her family alleged that hospital staff refused to admit her after identifying them as “Musahar.”As the family was leaving the hospital, Rani’s condition worsened. Her relatives helped her deliver the baby on the roadside, using a bedsheet as cover. The incident sparked anger among family members and locals.After being informed, CMO Dr SK Chak reached the village, brought the mother and newborn back to the hospital and admitted them. He also reprimanded the staff and constituted a four-member inquiry team comprising ACMO Dr OP Shukla, deputy CMO Dr Ashish Saroj, Bhadohi CHC gynaecologist Dr Shalini Pathak and another health worker.The inquiry team recorded statements throughout Wednesday and submitted its report to the CMO in the evening. The report was then forwarded to DM Shailesh Kumar, after which action was initiated against the lax officials and staff.According to the inquiry, Dr Pankaj was on duty when the pregnant woman arrived at the hospital but allegedly referred her without examining her.The team also questioned why an ambulance was not arranged despite the woman and her family belonging to a vulnerable community. His negligence led to his dismissal.The inquiry found that CMS Dr Tiwari and Dr Dhawan had failed to take the matter seriously. Dr Dhawan had reportedly examined Rani a day earlier but referred her elsewhere instead of admitting her, despite her severe anaemia. The CMS was also found to have been negligent in handling the case.Obstetrician Dr Prajapati, who was required to remain on call for delivery-related cases, was outside the district at the time of the incident and reached the hospital about one and a half hours later.Staff nurse Maurya was reportedly not present in the labour room when Rani reached the hospital and was sitting in the emergency ward. It is alleged that she refused admission while referring to the family as Musahar and went to get a referral slip prepared without admitting the patient. Her salary has been stopped and she has been transferred to Aurai CHC.Rani and her newborn daughter are admitted in the emergency ward and are healthy. They have been under continuous medical supervision for two days.
