Vijaywada: Denied stretcher, woman gives birth in hospital corridor; baby slips, suffers injury

Vijayawada: A woman delivered a baby in the corridor of Government General Hospital, Vijayawada, after she was allegedly denied a stretcher by the staff. The incident happened on December 20.

Aruna and her family from Kandrika village came to an old Government Hospital after she developed labor. According to her husband Rama Rao, Aruna was brought in an autorickshaw to the hospital. The family asked for a stretcher because she was unable to walk. The hospital staff did not respond immediately.

When the family managed to make her walk inside the hospital, the woman delivered the baby holding a pipe near the corridor of the hospital premises. The newborn fell down on the ground and got hurt on her head.

"The incident was witnessed by the staff but they haven't reacted. It was the locals who helped us to take her inside. Now we have no information about the child's condition ", said her husband.

The family alleged that the staff at the entrance of the hospital are not allowing the attendants, or give them any information about the newborn.

Professor of Gynecology Dr. Hima Bindu said: "The patient had vomiting and delivered the baby outside the hospital. The staff of the hospital immediately rushed to get a wheelchair and treated her. The baby weighs 1.45 kg and is kept in a special newborn care unit (SNCU). Both mother and baby are safe now".

Doctors said she was eight months pregnant and had a premature delivery. Hospital authorities stated that there was no negligence on part of the staff.

In response to the adverse news item circulated in the online portal "Newsmeter" regarding the incident that happened in old GGH Vijayawada on December 20.

A pregnant patient named Alamuri Aruna aged around 28 years from kandrika. She came to the hospital with severe labour pains. Immediately after reaching the hospital, she stepped out of the auto, and she felt nauseated. While vomiting, she suddenly delivered a female baby at 9:51 pm and the baby was shifted to Paediatric Intensive care by an attendant of other patient along with hospital security Personnel. *Immediately resuscitation was started, and the baby was around 1.4 kgs without any injuries*.

Further, to avoid such incidents in future, a circular was issued to all CHCs, AHs, DHs & GGHs to provide 2 stretchers, 2 wheelchairs at the entrance/casualty of the hospital and a team of 1 doctor, 1 nurse, 1 MNO and 1 FNO to be designated as receiving team to receive emergency cases.

The hospital has sufficient staff and amenities for 180 bed facility, with 6 units of Obstetrics & Gynaecology (OBG) department and daily 30-35 deliveries are conducted in the hospital.