UP Hospital sealed after newborn's death sparks negligence allegations

Bareilly: In a disturbing case of alleged medical negligence, a 30-year-old man in Uttar Pradesh's Lakhimpur Kheri reportedly walked into the District Magistrate’s office carrying a handbag containing the body of his newborn child. The newborn reportedly died in the mother's womb due to alleged denial of treatment at a private hospital.

Inside the office, the man broke down in tears and pleaded with officials to bring his child back. He claimed that the hospital staff refused to treat his wife after he paid part of the fees and promised to pay the remaining amount after the procedure.

He further alleged that the hospital kept increasing the fees, deliberately delayed the delivery. He also accused the doctors of administering the wrong medicine, which led to the child’s death. Demanding justice, he sought strict action against those responsible.

Following the incident, the district administration sealed the private hospital and shifted all admitted patients to the District Women’s Hospital.

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The tragedy occurred on Thursday night when the woman was rushed to the private facility in critical condition. At the time, her husband was in Haridwar for work but returned immediately after being informed. He alleged that the hospital demanded Rs 10,000 for a normal delivery and Rs 12,000 for a C-section. As his wife’s condition worsened, the charges kept increasing, and the hospital insisted on full payment before beginning the delivery.

"We began arranging the money. In the meantime, we deposited Rs 8,000 and requested the doctors to start treatment, but they refused. I requested them to let us take my wife to another hospital, but they kept asking for more money," the man told TOI.

When he couldn’t pay the full amount, the staff allegedly sent his wife outside in a critical state, making her stand on the road, and claimed that she had been referred elsewhere. Eventually, he took her to another private hospital where a surgery was performed, but the baby had already died in the womb. Therefore, the newborn child was born dead.

"She was rushed to another private hospital, where doctors said the child had died in the womb, attributing the tragedy to ‘incorrect medication' allegedly administered by the first hospital," he said.

Speaking to Zee News, he added that his wife remains in a fragile condition, repeatedly asking for her baby. “She doesn’t know her child is gone. She keeps asking for him, but he lies lifeless in a glass box. What answer do I give her?” he cried.

District Magistrate Durga Shakti Nagpal assured the family that the administration would bear all medical expenses for the woman, who is now stable.

Speaking to the TOI, Chief Development Officer Abhishek Singh said, "Following a preliminary inspection, we have ordered the immediate sealing of the hospital after finding some lapses. A thorough investigation has been initiated, and all patients have been safely shifted to the district hospital. The district administration stands in solidarity with the grieving family during this difficult time."

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