NHRC directs Maharashtra Govt to pay woman, child Rs 1 lakh for no medical aid during COVID-19 lockdown

Mumbai: In response to the shocking incident of a pregnant migrant woman who gave birth to a baby on the roadside during the COVID-19 lockdown, the Maharashtra government has agreed to pay Rs 1 lakh as compensation to the woman and her baby following the directive of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). 

The history of the incident goes back to May 2020 when she was travelling on foot from Nashik in Maharashtra to Satna in Madhya Pradesh due to the coronavirus lockdown and gave birth to her baby on the road. After delivery, the woman and her husband continued walking for another 150 kilometres.

However, the incident caused an uproar among the people two years back who blamed the government for failing to provide timely medical care during the delivery, causing great mental stress to the woman.

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The NHRC paid attention to the incident of negligence and seeking justice for the woman and acted suo-moto.

In response to this, the NHRC informed the Maharashtra government through a letter and criticised them for their lack of insight into the matter. Due to the state government's failure to respond within the stipulated time, the human rights body recommended compensating the woman and the child with Rs 50,000 each.

In the letter issued on March 2022, It said "A woman along with her husband, Migrant labour during the countrywide lockdown in May 2020 due to Coronavirus, while walking from Maharashtra to her village in Madhya Pradesh and gave birth to a baby on the way and after resting for some hours, resumed her walk for the remaining 150 km. his incident was published in HW News on 13-5-2020, and based on this the Commission took suo moto cognizance of the matter."

Responding to NHRC's order Maharashtra's chief secretary issued a letter announcing a total of 1 lakh compensation to the woman and her child.

"Taking Notice of the news published by HW News Network, Nashik regarding the migrant labourers' delivery on road (Suo- Moto), on 30/09/2021, Hon. Chief Secretary of the State of Maharashtra. A report was sought from them in connection with the said case," read the letter.

"Due to the fact that proper facilities were not provided to the victim, in the said case, hence as per the order dated 03 March 2022, the mother and her newborn child will get a compensation of Rs.50,000/- each. Payment has been released by the district health officer, Dhule".

On the other hand, the Additional chief secretary (public health) presented a different side to the story which includes that the Satna district administration arranged for a bus for the family to their hometown, and gave her Rs 10,000, besides Rs 1,000 from the patient welfare fund and Rs 500 for home delivery. However, the woman did not contact the state healthcare centre.

Explaining further, the secretary informed TOI that no information regarding the delivery was available based on the inputs provided by the District Health Officer, Dhule, on May 24, 2022.

When asked about the matter, the DHO said "The lady is currently residing in Satna in MP and she said she had a normal delivery in the forest near Pimpalgaon and her family had not contacted the toll-free number for an ambulance or any health facilities. She received the required immunisation from MP health authorities."

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