Kerala: Woman at ESI hospital delivers baby on floor

KOLLAM: Serious allegations of negligence has been raised against authorities of Ashramam ESI Hospital in the district after a pregnant woman admitted in the hospital delivered while walking towards the toilet.
The incident took place early on Tuesday morning. Vigi, wife of Rajesh, Uliyakkovil, was admitted to ESI hospital for delivery on Monday.
According to her relatives, Vigi had repeatedly told the hospital staff that she was feeling labour pain, they did not take her seriously.By early morning, as she was walking towards the toilet, the baby slipped out of the womb and fell on its head onto the floor. Later, the baby developed breathing difficulty and shivering and was shifted to a private hospital.
Vigi’s delivery date was July 21 but she was admitted when she came for the mandatory Covid test.
Relatives said that she had felt the pain from 12 midnight onwards. Vigi, herself a staff at a private hospital, told the hospital staff that she was having labour pain and bleeding. None of the staff attended to her.
Even after delivering a baby girl at around 5am, there was no one to attend to her. After a long time, a paediatrician examined the baby, assuring Vigi that the baby was alright, said Rajesh. But while breast-feeding the baby, it developed shivering and breathing difficulty. Soon, the baby was shifted to a private hospital.
The private hospital authorities said that some uterine fluids had entered the baby’s body. Vigi is still under treatment at ESI hospital.
ESI hospital authorities were initially reluctant to comment. However, later they said that the hospital would come out with an official release on the incident.
Meanwhile, DYFI activists laid siege on ESI hospital deputy superintendent Dr Sudheesh, demanding strict action against the erring doctors and nurses who had committed serious negligence in providing required medical assistance to the pregnant woman.
DYFI district secretary S R Arun Babu said following an hour-long blockade and discussions, Dr Sudheesh assured of disciplinary action. The deputy superintendent assured them that the doctors and nurses would be relieved from duty till they furnish a satisfactory explanation.