Pregnant woman died alongwith her unborn baby after 5 hospitals denied help

IMPHAL, AUG 08, 2020 -- A pregnant woman alongwith her unborn baby allegedly died due to medical negligence by health providers in Imphal on the early morning of 6th August, 2020.

The deceased Mrs KANPATLIU KAMEI (20) W/o  Roshan Balang, a resident of Puichi (Oktan) Village, Haochong sub-division, Noney district, died alongwith her unborn baby due to dereliction of medical assistance by five hospitals in Imphal city.

"A pregnant woman expired early this (06-08-'20) morning because she was denied medical attention-getting for delivery in all the hospitals they approached at Imphal. They went weeping and begging the whole night through but all the hospitals they approached turned them away heartlessly. Around 4:00 AM she was passed away at the entrance of Shija Hospital," sources said.

Acvording to sources, the pregnant woman approached Senapati District Hospital on August 5, 2020 around 2PM. The doctors there assured that delivery will be done by them. However, around 10.30 P.M, they advised the patient party to go to Imphal.

Consequently, they rented a private vehicle and reached JNIMS around 12.30 A.M. However, in total act of irresponsibility and negligence, she was refused to be treated even though she possessed a Covid-19 Negative Test Result, and in need of emergency help. In a rare inhumane act of cruelty, the same nurses who knows the danger more than anybody else refused to give her entry saying there is no doctor to treat her.

In desperation, they requested one young man working in a pharmacy at Porompat to take them to other hospitals as the late patient party have not much idea about hospitals in Imphal. Fortunately, the young man agreed and took them to RIMS.

The same denial was repeated in RIMS too even after showing the Covid-19 Negative Test Result and knowing the critical condition of the patient.

Thereafter, they approached Imphal Hospital but was refused admission again inspite of the serious condition of the patient.

Next, they approached another two private hospitals, whose names are unknown to the patient party. There too, they were denied access.

As a last resort, they went to Shija Hospital, where she and the unborn baby died at the casualty entrance at around 4 A.M before the patient party could approach the hospital authorities.

This is the heart rending tragedy of a young mother and an unborn baby who died unnecessarily due to negligent, irresponsible and inhumane act of the doctors and nurses, who denied the patient help inspite of knowing the outcome of their cruel and inhuman act.

The Inpui Naga Union (INU), Inpui Naga Women's Union (INWU) and All Inpui Students' Union (AISU) on Friday (07 Aug'20) strongly condemned the dead of pregnant women in itsstrongest term and has appealed for a speedy justice.

"We are perturbed by the careless indifferent attitude of the different government hospitals particularly JNIMS and RIMS and Imphal Hospital, Raj Medicity and Shija Hospital recognized as the topmost government medical and private institution in the state towards a tribal and most importantly for denying the right to access of healthcare to a pregnant woman", said in a joint press statement.

The apex organizations of the Inpuis Naga sought the Health Department and Government of Manipur to look into the following concerns of the people with sincerity and urgency.

We would ask the Enquiry Committee to be fair and just in their investigation. Any influence by any vested party in an attempt to protect any person involved in this medical negligence will not be accepted. We are ready to offer all the necessary information to the Enquiry Committee.

We would urged the state government to expedite and check the various health infrastructures in the hills particularly in the remote districts, subdivision and villages. And to make necessary arrangements for maternity care in all districts and sub-divisions with provision for ambulances in emergency cases.

To provide compensation to the bereaved family, the statement demanded.

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