Ayodhya: A 32-year-old woman and her newborn allegedly died due to medical negligence after a delivery was conducted by untrained staff at a private hospital in Ayodhya, with the doctor reportedly guiding the procedure over the phone, officials and family members said on Thursday.
The incident occurred late Tuesday night in Faizabad city, following which the Health Department sealed the hospital and launched an investigation.
Suresh Yadav, a resident of Beniganj, said his wife Soni Yadav was admitted to Maa Parmeshwari Devi Memorial Hospital after she developed labour pains. The attending doctor, Anjali Shrivastava, initially told the family that her condition was normal.
However, according to the family, the doctor was not present during the delivery, which was carried out by a staff member allegedly under her telephonic guidance.
“After about half an hour, the staff handed over the baby and said he was not breathing. When we took the newborn to a nearby doctor, he was declared dead. Upon returning, we were told my wife’s condition had worsened. She was then taken to another hospital, where she was also declared dead,” Suresh Yadav alleged.
The family has accused the hospital of gross negligence, claiming that no qualified doctor was present at the time of delivery.
Acting on the complaint, a Health Department team led by Additional Chief Medical Officer (ACMO) Dr Ashutosh Shrivastava inspected the facility. During the inspection, no doctor or trained medical staff were found on duty. A man identified as Mahesh Singh, who claimed to be the hospital manager, was overseeing operations, the ACMO said.
“Three women who had undergone caesarean sections were admitted there, and their care was left to the manager,” he added.
The inspection also revealed incomplete hospital records, the absence of the doctor’s credentials, and unsatisfactory medical waste management practices.
“The hospital has been sealed and the admitted patients have been shifted to the district women’s hospital. Further investigation is underway, and an FIR will be registered if negligence is established,” the ACMO said, adding that the doctor is currently untraceable.
Suresh Yadav said he had married Soni, a resident of Mukimpur in Inayat Nagar, in April last year and that the family was expecting their first child.
“Our happiness has been shattered due to the hospital’s negligence,” he said, demanding strict action against those responsible.
With PTI inputs