Pregnant woman forced to deliver on floor at Haridwar Hospital
Dehradun: In a shocking incident, a pregnant woman was allegedly denied treatment by staff at Haridwar’s Women’s Hospital and was forced to give birth on the hospital floor. In response, authorities have dismissed the on-duty medical officer and initiated disciplinary action against the nurses involved.
The incident, which took place on the night of September 28–29, has ignited outrage and calls for accountability and urgent reforms in the state's healthcare system.
According to the family, the woman — the wife of a daily wage labourer — arrived at the hospital in severe labour pain. However, instead of being offered immediate care, she was reportedly turned away by doctors and nurses on duty. Moments later, she collapsed on the floor of the hospital and delivered her baby there, without any medical assistance.
Also Read:Pune Liver Transplant Deaths: Family questions delay in medical negligence probe
The woman’s relatives have alleged that the on-duty doctor bluntly refused treatment, claiming that deliveries could not be conducted at the facility. Nurses, too, allegedly ignored the family’s repeated pleas for help.
The ASHA worker present at the scene tried to document the incident on her mobile phone but was reportedly threatened by hospital staff, who attempted to snatch the phone. That footage has since been widely shared on social media, drawing public condemnation and demands for accountability.
Speaking to ETV Bharat, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr R.K. Singh rejected the allegations, insisting the woman had been admitted and that the delivery had happened inside the hospital. He described the charges as part of a “conspiracy” by the ASHA worker. Singh added that the truth would only be clear after an inquiry.
The incident caught the attention of the Uttarakhand State Women’s Commission, which took suo motu cognizance of the case. Chairperson Kusum Kandwal called the situation "a matter of serious concern" and emphasized that such behaviour by medical staff could not be tolerated. Kandwal has directed a full investigation into the matter and has urged senior officials to submit their findings promptly.
Following the Women’s Commission’s intervention, the Health Department acted promptly. The medical officer on duty at the time of the incident has been dismissed from service. Disciplinary action has also been initiated against the nurses involved. CMS Ranveer Singh, who is leading the internal probe, described the conduct of the hospital staff as “inhuman” and promised zero tolerance for such behaviour.
The incident has taken a political turn, as the opposition party alleged that the state's healthcare system is in a state of crisis, claiming that residents are "crying for help" yet receiving little to no meaningful response from the authorities.
This is not an isolated incident. Just days before, a child in Bageshwar died due to alleged medical negligence, raising similar alarms about public health services in the state — especially in remote and hilly areas.
Also Read:Bageshwar Hospital Chief Medical Superintendent removed in infant death case
