Tragedy: Newborn Dies After Pregnant Woman Delivers Without Medical Aid in PHC
A devastating incident has underscored the critical healthcare deficiencies in rural India. In Kharai village, Shivpuri district, a pregnant woman named Rani Ojha was forced to give birth with only a sanitation worker to assist her after repeated calls for medical help went unanswered. The newborn tragically died shortly after birth.
The ordeal began early on Sunday when Rani, 32, started experiencing labor pains. Her husband, Ram Sevak Ojha, made multiple urgent calls for an ambulance, but none arrived. Desperate, the family transported her to the nearest primary health center using a private vehicle.
When they reached the center at around 12:30 PM, they found no doctors or nurses available to assist with the delivery. Local sources report that the doctor on duty was absent, attending an exam, while the nurse was also unavailable.
In the absence of trained medical personnel, a sanitation worker at the center attempted to help with the delivery. Despite the worker’s efforts, the baby girl did not survive, passing away moments after birth.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage, with many questioning the state of rural healthcare. The sanitation worker involved in the delivery has been dismissed from service following the incident. Dr. Sanjay Rishiwar, the District Health Officer, confirmed the termination and acknowledged the absence of medical staff at the time. “The doctor was attending his exam, so there was no attending physician at the primary health center. The sweeper who assisted in the delivery has been terminated,” Dr. Rishiwar stated.
