A tragic incident of medical negligence at a government hospital in Bareilly resulted in the death of a newborn, with an internal probe confirming that timely intervention by doctors and staff could have saved the child's life. The distressing event occurred on December 23 at the gate of the district women's hospital, highlighting critical failures in emergency patient care.
Probe Reports Confirm Staff Failure
Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Rameshwar Mishra revealed that two separate investigations were conducted into the incident. One was ordered by the state government, and the other was an internal probe by the hospital's Chief Medical Superintendent (CMS). While the findings of the state-ordered inquiry remain confidential, Dr. Mishra confirmed that the CMS report has squarely blamed the hospital's doctors and staff members for the lapse.
"I cannot disclose the findings of the probe ordered by the state govt, but the CMS report has confirmed that the doctors and staff members were at fault and failed to attend to the patient," Dr. Mishra told TOI. He assured that strict action would be taken against those found responsible, including the termination of their services.
A Mother's Harrowing Ordeal
The 35-year-old pregnant woman, who has not been named, recounted her traumatic experience. Upon reaching the hospital in a critical state, she was allegedly ignored by the medical staff. With no assistance forthcoming, a relative was forced to step in during the delivery process. The relative attempted to help when the fetus was found stuck halfway, but the intervention was too late, and the newborn could not be saved.
The woman's husband expressed anguish and anger over the incident, questioning the very purpose of government healthcare facilities. He demanded to know why patients should rely on such hospitals if they cannot guarantee timely and safe medical care during emergencies.
Accountability and Systemic Issues
This case has put the spotlight back on the persistent issues plaguing public healthcare infrastructure in parts of Uttar Pradesh. The confirmation of negligence by the hospital's own probe underscores a breakdown in protocol and duty of care. The promise of action against the erring staff is a step, but it raises larger questions about systemic oversight, staffing patterns, and emergency response mechanisms in government-run hospitals.
The incident in Bareilly is a stark reminder of the human cost of medical apathy. It calls for not just punitive measures but also systemic reforms to ensure that such tragedies are not repeated, and that every patient receives the urgent attention they deserve at critical moments.
