Pregnant Chhattisgarh Woman Carried to Hospital in Cooking Vessel

The woman gave birth to a still-born baby.

(Photo: ANI/Altered by TheQuint)

A pregnant woman who was close to giving birth to her child was carried across a river in a cooking vessel to reach the nearest hospital, nearly 15 km away, in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district, reported The Indian Express.

The incident occurred on 14 July and the woman gave birth to a stillborn baby, a day later, the family told ANI, alleging medical negligence.

According to the newspaper, Lakshmi (35) and Harish (33) were married four years ago and were expecting their first child. They are residents of Mamidguda village, which is about 40 km from district headquarters Bijapur. They were staying at Lakshmi’s parents’ home in Minur village since it is closer to the health centre.

Speaking to the news agency, the the pregnant woman's sister said:

“We took her to a hospital 15 km away. The next day she began experiencing labour pain. Doctor and the nurse said it is not yet the time. Later they left after their shifts. The next shift came several hours later and then the doctor was called. Meanwhile, she delivered a stillborn child.”

Ajay Ramteke, Block Medical Officer (BMO), Bhopalpattnam, said that a notice has been issued to both the doctor and the nurse.

Further action will be taken based on their replies to notices, BMO told ANI.

(With inputs from The Indian Express, ANI)