MHRC seeks report on pregnant woman being denied admission by state hospitals

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJuly 9, 2020

The Meghalaya Human Rights Commission (MHRC) has directed the chief secretary MS Rao to submit a report into the alleged refusal of hospitals to admit a pregnant woman, who eventually delivered her baby inside an ambulance recently.

The chairperson of the MHRC Justice T Vaiphei has taken suo motu cognizance of the complaint made by the Kur Khyndeit Pyllun, said a statement issued on Thursday.

The complaint came after a pregnant woman was made to shuttle between various hospitals in the State during an emergency and refused admission in Nongpoh Civil Hospital, H. Gordon Robert Hospital, Nazareth Hospital and both the Shillong and Nongpoh branches of Bethany Hospital and eventually delivered the baby inside a 108 Emergency Services Ambulance.

The Commission said the instant case appears to have resulted in gross human rights violation of the patient where Article 21 of the Constitution mandates for protection of life and personal liberty for every person within the territory of India.

It said right to life is a fundamental right and it is paramount duty of the State to protect and safeguard such rights of any individual.

It is appalling under what circumstances the patient was denied admission in a hospital run by the State Government and manned public servants as defined under Section 21 of the Indian Penal Code.

The Commission has sought a report from the chief secretary to report on the circumstances under which the patient was denied admission in the Nongpoh civil hospital and also in the privately-run hospitals in the state.