Southern States - Tamil Nadu-Chennai   

Probe into `forcible removal' of pregnant woman from hospital

By S. Shivakumar

CHENNAI APRIL 22. The police and authorities of the Government Hospital for Women and Children, Egmore, have launched an enquiry into a case of alleged forcible removal of a pregnant woman from the labour ward and demand for money by a staff nurse on Monday from her relatives.

Thirukumaran of Purasawalkam, in his complaint with the Egmore police, charged that his wife, Sarala, was admitted to the hospital on Monday. The staff nurse allegedly demanded Rs. 500 for taking care of the patient. As he refused to part with the money, Sarala's mother, who was taking care of her, was slapped, pushed and forced out of the premises. He also alleged that his wife was pushed out of the ward, following which she had to be admitted to a private nursing home.

The complainant obtained the signatures of 12 witnesses. The Egmore police have accepted the complaint and given a Community Service Register receipt.

When contacted, the director and superintendent of the hospital, A. Sundaravalli, said an enquiry was ordered. Preliminary investigation revealed that the patient was not "sent out" of the ward. But a wordy duel ensued between the staff nurse and a relative of the patient, who attempted to enter the ward during non-visiting hours.

The hospital authorities stepped up security and were strictly maintaining visitor timings after the recent case of a `missing child', which was later found with another patient.

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