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Covid patient delivers baby in ambulance; probe ordered

Rajouri | 3-Aug-2020

In an alleged case of mishandling by concerned health officials at Rajouri GMC, a Covid- 19 positive woman gave birth to a girl child in the ambulance while on way to Jammu.
Mohd Nazir Sheikh, DC has initiated an inquiry after the incident gone viral on the social media.
�The inquiry will be conducted by a four member team including Additional DC, Kalakot; CMO, Medical Superintendent GMC&AH� said DC.
Paramjit Kour resident of Lam declared Corona positive alleged she was sent to Rajouri forcibly by BMO, Nowshera despite the fact that her delivery was due in the 2nd week of August & she was willing to remain in home quarantine.
"At GMC hospital I remained in the ambulance for one hour before shifting to woman covid care centre (CCC).
No proper facility was available at CCC required for a pregnant woman including diet, medical help, she alleged and added on Saturday at about 2.30 pm she developed labour pains.
At about 4 pm an ambulance came & she was shifted to GMC hospital.
"Instead providing medical help, hospital authorities kept me in the ambulance for few hours & then a doctor came & informed that I was referred to Jammu hospital.
"I was given only a pain killer injection,� said the woman.
As BMO had not allowed any attendent, I contacted my husband who joined me on way to Jammu, she added.
On way she complaint about severe labour pains. Driver contacted Th.Sher Singh, Additional DC who immediately contacted BMO, Sunderbani but found him on leave (despite cancellation of leaves during Covid-19).
�In-charge BMO�s phone, who is also gynecologist, was also out of reach� said ADM and added he contacted ADM, Sunbderbani and requested him to visit hospital to help the woman.
Sources said that ADM ,Sunderbani reportedly didn�t find senior staff at Sunderbani hospital to provide required medical help to pregnant woman.
"At Sunderbani hospital we remained in the ambulance for one hour but none of the staff member came forward for help despite the ADC Sunderbani ,who was present there , was asked for medical help by my husband" said Paramjit Kour and added from Sunderbani I was once again referred to Jammu.
After some distance the woman gave birth to girl child & the ambulance driver played a major role in saving the lives of mother & child who were later admitted in the hospital at Jammu.
� Why the health officials didn�t respond quickly to repeated calls by Woman CCC staff at Rajouri, why the woman was kept waiting in the ambulance four few hours & referred to Jammu while she was complaining about severe labour pains, non-availability of BMO & In-charge BMO and verification of the staff present during ADC�s visit at Sunderbani hospital etc, are among other angles to be inquired in this episode � said Official sources.
"Internal inquiry is in progress, doctor who referred the woman has been asked to furnish details about the circumstances under which woman was referred" said Kuldeep Singh, principal GMC Rajouri