Woman delivers baby on cart, outside hospital

A woman delivered her baby outside a government hospital block here after the staff there allegedly ignored her husband's request to admit her in the maternity ward.

Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij has ordered an inquiry after the Monday night incident. A two-member team constituted by Ambala Civil Surgeon Kuldeep Singh has been asked to complete the probe within two days.

Suman, who is about 30 years old, had been going to the same hospital for check-ups during her pregnancy.

On Monday night, her husband Shalu Kumar brought her to the hospital in a motorbike attached cart after he did not get an ambulance. He went inside to seek maternity help for his wife while she remained in the cart.

The woman's husband has alleged that he requested the hospital staff to admit his wife to the maternity ward but they refused to pay attention even after repeated requests for help.

He said that his wife delivered a male child on the cart in the hospital premises in the absence of any staff.

The doctor of the maternity ward on knowing about the incident admitted the mother and the child to the ward where they were given required medical aid.

The woman's husband met the health minister at his Ambala Cantonment residence on Wednesday and gave details of the incident to him.

Meanwhile, Vij said that the inquiry committee has been asked to submit a report within two days.

Stating that all facts pertaining to the incident would be investigated, he said, "If any discrepancy is found, action will be taken."

When contacted, a doctor said the woman and the child are now admitted in the Civil Hospital and both are quite well.