COVID-19 positive woman delivers baby in Bandipora hospital premises as doctors refuse admission

Bandipora: A young lady on Saturday morning delivered a baby in the premises of District Hospital Bandipora after she was denied permission in the hospital for having tested positive for COVID-19, Kashmir News Observer (KNO) reported.

An enquiry has been ordered into the incident.

“My sister was forced to leave the hospital after she tested positive for COVID-19,” one Nazir Ahmed told Kashmir News Trust (KNT).

“Despite writhing in pain, she was suggested to go to COVID-19 designated hospital located at Hajin but she delivered near the hospital gate as we were coming out,” he said.

The woman hails from Vewan village of Bandipora.

Taking a strong note of the embarrassing incident, Chief Medical Officer Bandipora, Dr Bashir Ahmed Lone, has asked the doctors at the hospital to explain their position within 24 hours.

“It has come to the notice of higher authorities that a COVID-19 labour patient who was fully dilated was brought to the hospital today. Doctor on duty has adopted inhuman act & without considering the sensitivity of the case referred the said patient to CHC Hajin and the patient delivered within the premises of District Hospital which is a matter of concern & it reveals negligence on the part of concerned Doctors,” the notice issued by the CMO reads.

It further reads, “In case the concerned doctors would have worn proper protective gear they may have conducted the delivery of the patient and this scene would have been avoided. It has also been observed that Dr Yasmeen Gul Consultant Gynecologist was present and has failed to consider the gravity of the situation and the case.”

“There are two consultant Gynecologists & one Medical Officer possessing MCH degree posted at District Hospital Bandipora & had they adopted SOPs nothing would have happened with the said patient,” the notice reads.

“The issue has also been highlighted by social media & the department has to cut a sorry finger.”

“Whereas it was also reported that neither Dr Fancy Bulbul Gynecologist nor Dr Inam ul Haq Medical officer (MCH) was present & it reveals poor supervision & monitoring on your part which has been viewed seriously by the authorities,” the order reads.

“Therefore, you are asked to explain your position within 24 hours positively as to why action shall not be initiated against you for dereliction of your duties & in the meantime you are directed to submit action-taken report against the concerned doctors.”