Turned away by hospital, woman gives birth on roadside

Burdwan, Jan 21: A woman, who was allegedly turned away by officials and doctors of Burdwan Medical College and Hospital, gave birth to a baby girl at a roadside tea stall at Talit in the district, prompting authorities to order an inquiry.

The incident occurred on Thursday and the woman, Parbati Bagdi, went home after delivery but the baby died for lack of treatment the next day, official sources said on Saturday.

“The doctors asked us to come after a month when I took Parbati to BMCH. She felt labour pain on the way home near Talit railway level crossing on Thursday. We got down from the bus and she gave birth to a girl with the help of a quack,” Parbati’s mother Kalpana Majhi said.

Parbati was referred to BMCH by a local health centre near her home at Gotistha village.

Deputy Superintendent of BMCH Dr Tapas Kumar Ghosh said that the doctors advised the woman to undergo an ultrasonography but she left without telling the hospital staff.

District Magistrate Omkar Singh Meena said, “An investigation has been launched into the incident. A team of officials visited Parbati’s home and took her to a local public health centre at Mongalkote where the baby died yesterday.”

Parbati was later sent to BMCH after her condition worsened.

The incident comes close on the heels of recent infants deaths in Malda district which have led to crititicism of health services in West Bengal.

PTI