'Untouchable' woman dies after Indian medics refuse treatment

[blain2]

This is outright shameful...how can a human be refused treatment on the basis of his/her creed and religion?

'Untouchable' woman dies after Indian medics refuse treatment LUCKNOW, India, April 24 (AFP): An “untouchable” woman who gave birth outside an Indian hospital because doctors would not treat her died Thursday, a day after her baby, officials admitted. The newborn boy of Maya Devi, 28, died Wednesday due to lack of medical help minutes after being born outside the maternity wing of Kanpur Medical College in northern Uttar Pradesh state. Devi was only put in intensive care after giving birth but died of a heart attack early Thursday. Several doctors, including the hospital's chief medical superintendent, refused to touch her or provide medical care as she delivered her baby, the Press Trust of India reported. Devi was a Dalit, or “untouchable”, a group at the bottom of the caste social ladder long ostracised and forced into menial professions despite laws banning discrimination. Many high-class Hindus fear coming into contact with them. (Posted @ 20:10 PST)

- DAWN - Latest Stories; April 24, 2008

 

[Flintlock]

The real story...


Woman delivers on road, baby dies
Express news service
Posted online: Thursday , April 24, 2008 at 11:00:46
Updated: Thursday , April 24, 2008 at 11:00:46
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Kanpur, April 23 Maya Devi was refused admission as she was unable to pay fees; hospital orders probe

A pregnant woman writhed in labour pain outside a hospital for about 3 hours in the middle of the night and was forced to deliver her baby on the road early on Wednesday morning. The Upper India Sugar Exchange Maternity Hospital (UISEMH) had refused to admit her because she did not have money.

Minutes later, the newborn died due to the lack of medical facilities. In an effort to hush up the incident, she was admitted in the ICU of Lala Lajpat Rai(LLR) hospital, where she continues to remain in a critical condition.

Maya Devi, a resident of Banda, came to the UISEMH with her sister Kushma and nephew Sohan Lal around 3:30 am.

The doctors asked them to arrange for three bottles of blood and deposit money for medical tests.

They failed to do that and the hospital staff showed them the door.

Though Sohan and Kushma promised to get the money, but the staff entertained no appeals.

Maya finally gave birth to a baby boy on the road opposite the hospital around 6 am. But the boy expired soon, and the angry family and locals held a protest against the hospital.

The authorities, however, did not budge and the condition of Maya continued to deteriorate with each passing minute.

It was only after 10 am, when the senior doctors arrived at the scene, the issue was taken up seriously. To hush up the incident, Maya was admitted in the ICU of LLR hospital.

Chief Medical Superintendent UISEMH, Dr Draupadi Jataria said an inquiry panel has been set up to look into the matter. “Action would be taken against medical staff if they are found guilty,” she said.

Kushma told mediapersons: “The hospital authorities are solely responsible for the baby’s death and Maya’s critical condition.”

Demanding strict action against the hospital administration, she said, “Even as my sister was crying for help, none bothered to come out of the hospital and take note of her.”

Sohan Lal said, “Now that the child is dead, all efforts should be made to save Maya.” He said even after the baby’s death, none of the doctors came out to attend on the mother.

“Since 3:30 am, Maya has been in tremendous pain, if she survives it would be a miracle,” he added.

Woman delivers on road, baby dies - ExpressIndia.Com

 

[Goodperson]

Amusing to see DAWN focusing on 'Untouchable' part . Complete mess of news did the baby die or the women ? Or these are two different news but after search I think they are same news.

here is update from TOI

Mayawati suspends kanpur docs for refusing to admit pregnant woman

KANPUR: Nine doctors including the chief medical officer of a maternity hospital in Kanpur have been suspended following their refusal to admit a pregnant woman, whose newborn child died after she delivered at the hospital's door.

Chief Minister Mayawati, who took serious view of the alleged carelessness on the part of the doctors by refusing to admit pregnant Maya Devi, on Wednesday ordered suspension of the chief medical officer of Indian Sugar Exchange Maternity Hospital.

Maya Devi, a resident of Tilharh village of Banda district, delivered the baby just outside the hospital, her family said, adding though she was later admitted to the hospital, the newborn child died.

Anand Swaroop, principal of the medical college attached to the hospital, said that eight other doctors, including some junior doctors, besides the chief medical officer, have been suspended for not admitting the patient.

A team of three senior doctors has been constituted to probe the matter and it will submit the report shortly, he said.

Mayawati also announced financial assistance of Rs one lakh to Maya Devi's family.

She directed all government hospitals of the state to take measures to stop recurrence of such incidents and warned of stern action in case of lapses.

District Magistrate Anil Sagar has also ordered a separate inquiry and provided financial assistance of Rs 25,000 to the victim.

Mayawati suspends kanpur docs for refusing to admit pregnant woman-Lucknow-Cities-The Times of India

 

[Cheetah786]

Stealth Assassin The real story is even more despicable how can one watch a poor person suffer just cause they have no money.
Good person attacking dawn will not make this story any different but iam glade the government has taken steps.suspension of doctors will not solve the problem but cancelling there license to practice will make sure it never happens again.

 

[Sam Dhanraj]

I hope Indian government cancel the license of this establishment and all doctors involved.

I second that

 

[Bushroda]

suspension of doctors will not solve the problem but cancelling there license to practice will make sure it never happens again.

Unfortunately, In India things don't work that fast. The doctor has been suspended & as long as he remains suspended he would still keep getting half the income for that period. The enquiry commission would be setup to look into the whole matter. Notice would be issued to the alleged doctor to explain his action. If he fails to submit his explaination cause to the notice yet another notice would be issued. If he still fails to give an explaination on the third count then he would be dismissed. Still, doctor can rightfully take up his case to the hospital's worker union or to the judicial court and the whole hospital management would be accountable for that. Nobody likes to go through so much of headache.

I thyink even if found guilty the doctor would be honourably discharged from his duties but no case would be pursued against him.

 

[blain2]

Amusing to see DAWN focusing on 'Untouchable' part . Complete mess of news did the baby die or the women ? Or these are two different news but after search I think they are same news.

here is update from TOI

Mayawati suspends kanpur docs for refusing to admit pregnant woman

KANPUR: Nine doctors including the chief medical officer of a maternity hospital in Kanpur have been suspended following their refusal to admit a pregnant woman, whose newborn child died after she delivered at the hospital's door.

Chief Minister Mayawati, who took serious view of the alleged carelessness on the part of the doctors by refusing to admit pregnant Maya Devi, on Wednesday ordered suspension of the chief medical officer of Indian Sugar Exchange Maternity Hospital.

Maya Devi, a resident of Tilharh village of Banda district, delivered the baby just outside the hospital, her family said, adding though she was later admitted to the hospital, the newborn child died.

Anand Swaroop, principal of the medical college attached to the hospital, said that eight other doctors, including some junior doctors, besides the chief medical officer, have been suspended for not admitting the patient.

A team of three senior doctors has been constituted to probe the matter and it will submit the report shortly, he said.

Mayawati also announced financial assistance of Rs one lakh to Maya Devi's family.

She directed all government hospitals of the state to take measures to stop recurrence of such incidents and warned of stern action in case of lapses.

District Magistrate Anil Sagar has also ordered a separate inquiry and provided financial assistance of Rs 25,000 to the victim.

Mayawati suspends kanpur docs for refusing to admit pregnant woman-Lucknow-Cities-The Times of India

GP, I think Dawn quoted AFP verbatim.

But getting back to the topic, I would not be worthy of being called a human if I had a pregnant woman in need of help in front of me and I walked away from her.

I did not mean to highlight this to judge India. All of the countries in South Asia should be ashamed for allowing such things to happen. Last week in Karachi a girl was raped and murdered in her house while a crowd of 2000 stood outside listening to all the screaming but not doing anything while the victim's mother begged them to help.