The father of the premature baby could not pay for the incubator
A five-day-old baby girl died at the government-run Civil Hospital at Jalandhar as the staff stopped treatment when her father could not pay Rs. 200 charged for use of an incubator.
The incident came to light when Sanjeev Kumar, a daily wage painter, and his wife Anita accused the staff of “killing” the baby born prematurely in the hospital on July 20. The child required extra medical assistance as it developed complications, including jaundice, immediately after birth.
On Wednesday, the staff asked Sanjeev to deposit Rs. 200 for running the incubator. But he was not able to arrange for the money.
Apparently, the staff withdrew all treatment and handed over the baby to the mother, who pleaded for some more time. Within hours, the condition of the baby deteriorated and it died in the arms of its hapless mother. When the shocking incident came under media spotlight, local health authorities went into overdrive to shift blame. Witnesses said some hospital officials tried to argue that a written request was necessary from the child’s parents to allow use of the incubator. Sanjeev, who is not a literate, was not aware of such regulations.
Finally, the Chief Minister took “cognisance” of the situation and ordered a fast track inquiry into the incident.
Keywords: infant death, medical negligence, medical ethics
Aghast.
Now what !! Is there a need to take action against the culprit, the Civil Hospital Jalandhar? Should the staff be jailed and/or removed from there jobs. Wouldn't that lead to immeasurable hardships to the families of the staff of Civil Hospital Jalandhar. Would the couple who lost their child will be compensated by inflicting hardships on the dependents especially children by taking away the jobs or worse sending them to jail. Will it bring back their child.
Should the family of the newborn asked for the incubator. Shouldnt the illiterate painter husband arranged for the written request for incubator. There are so many people in government run hospitals. It is not possible to look after each and every minute needs of patient. It was a minor lapse on the part of the Civil Hospital Jalandhar Staff or was it Negligence. If it was negligence on part of Staff they must be punished. But take it from me Negligence would be hard to prove. Staff would go scot-free.
Next patient please.
This is really a shame on our society .Do you still think
we can become a super power ?.When the life of new born is
taken in exchange of 200--Rs.
God bless our society and our country
There are so many in our country who alk about India being a super
power! How pathetic ? India still has years to go before we even
become a normal country with humanitarian values and respect for life.
This here and a school child dies since it fell through the opening in
a school bus in Tamil Nadu.
The elected officials will announce an enquiry but no one is going to
worry about this case in a few weeks/months. And the same kind of
events will happen again.
It is time for Indian policy makers and bureaucrats to learn from the USA how much the USA administration cares for human life irrespective of legal or illegal status. First all out efforts are put in place by a team of doctors to save the human being, forgetting about police report or money. In India life of politicians and their relatives are more important than ordinary people. Only God can save the country.
It is government's unstated policy to allow people to die, as a means to control population, because they feel that people in India need to be responsible for their life, as they are being irresponsible in managing births, which explains why India has 1.4 billion people and growing.
What else can explain for this Government cruelty inflicted on the poor.
What else can explain 70,000 deaths on Indian roads, because of neglect.
People - You must be glad, if you are alive, and be thankful to God for everyday. This is India, where you matter for what you earn, and who you are, not because you are a 'Human Being'.
Nothing is more painful for any parent that their child dies in their
own hands and they can't do anything because they are poor.
Being poor is not a crime, but such persons make them realize.
I don't understand how come a person be so cruel.These people are soulless.
Why can't they understand the pain of a person even when they are
working in hospital, where understanding pain of a person is more
important than doing any job ?
Why don't they think even a single time before doing such a heinous
crime?
This is just a single case which comes to limelight because of media.
But there are many such cases happening daily which may never come to
limelight.
Now its incumbent upon us to help such people whenever we see such
things happening...
Shouldn't this be treated as murder. Hospital authorities must not deny treatment which will lead to emergencies. Hello Health Minister, any ideas how to save people? or you gonna do stupid publicity for banning smoking and design wrapper for cigarette. try changing the policy than planning publicity stunts. your tenure will at least save lives.
Every citizen has the right to live. Lets work towards it. Make a policy where hospitals cannot refuse treatment.
I will really appreciate if you can table a bill in Parliament for this.
The root cause is apathy, lack of values and morals in the soceity at
large.Unless we start teaching and imparting values based education,
these things will recur. We tend to forget that today it is the
painters' child, tomorrow it could be my child, the nurse's child or
could be even the doctors'. Our politicians are busy making easy
money,they have no care or compassion towards the poor. A precious life
was lost while the nation forgives scams worth billions.
Indian society and the money-making culture of new India should hang its head in shame. India has been transformed into a society where money is more important than humanity and morality.
what a shocking news..........it is very horrible situation...my sympathy to the bereaved family.
65 years of Indian Independence!...Poverty of Public Health or
corruption institutionalized?...!
Such a cruel activity.Just imagine the mom's feeling. the baby died in her own hands. This is the most worst situation for her. The doctor and the nurse who did this should be severely punished. As a doctor dont they know the value of a life. Money is the priority for them how heartless person.
It is heartbreaking to read these kind of news. How can hospital staff, nurse, doctors do these kind of things. Now they can shift blames from one to another but fact is one poor baby died. It is really shameful. What happen to India, our great history. What is there to proud now. We lost humanity. There is no value for human life, money is more important. Everywhere its greed and corruption. I think in India humans stops living. I agree with Mr. Menon there is some virus going on in India. Please God save my country before its too late.
Why are we Indians turning into barbarians? Each passing day brings forth some news or the other of some inhuman act of behaviour in some or the other part of the country. There was the murder of Baby Falak and Baby Afreen, dishonour killings of women, brutal rapes occurring everyday, the Guwahati molestation, the 5-year old boy in Haryana who died after he fell into a borewell, the 7-year old schoolgoing girl who fell onto the road when the wooden flooring of her decrepit schoolbus gave away and had the rear tyres run over her and now this. My home state, Kerala, is notorious for the way women are treated in public spaces. Some kind of virus seems to be spreading across the country that is rendering everyone into zombies. God save this country from doom.
For what we should Pride after this incident. Its so regular and it been accepted by us talking this for few days and passing comments. Who to be questioned for this? For what inquiry is on? Who will get what?. It is known after enquiry one or two removed from charges. By this can we get the child back, Can we bring cheers to the Mother who waited for year to see his child. Can we bring hope to Father by saying its part of life.We spend 200/- for 30 min Coffee, going to Movie, and we talk of this by spending more 500/- in next meet.
I am not saying we should not go any where, but when we do think of them. Who to be blamed for this -Is the Father who unalbe to pay 200/-,Is the staff who withdrew treatment, Is the society in which we are leaving? I think This question will be remain unanswered.
Nature hadn’t asked me bribe
When it created in my mother’s womb!!
Even before I touched the earth
Who gave me the tomb?
Coming out of the womb would cause my death?
Alas!!! Had I known it
I would have terminated my birth!!!
<< Dedicated to the five-day-old baby girl died at the government-run Civil Hospital at Jalandhar >>
- by
A.Kannan, New Delhi
Anil Dhanya, Sonepet, Haryana
This is the height of indifference and mercilessness exhibited by the hospital authorities concerned and those around who could have helped the father with the required amount, which is a paltry sum from today's standard. On one hand over 6 crores spent for the President's Mercedes car and on the other a new born dies for want of Rs. 200/-. What a contrast! Truly, it is, "Mera Bharat Mahan".
I have rarely heard of anything more cynical, heartless and stupid than this act of the hospital staff. It is a matter of deep shame for society that the lives of the poorest are so casually extinguished, that too in a public facility that exists to serve them. Anyone in our society in the slightest position of power assumes the right to behave arbitrarily, with no regard to the law or plain human decency. This poor family must be rural workers uprooted from their home in UP or Bihar by abject poverty and eking a living in affluent Punjab. This is a serious crime and we must thank the media for making it known. The hospital staff involved must be ruthlessly punished with the most severe penalties possible : sack them from service, and sentence them to several years in jail. Those in charge of hospital management, including at the most senior levels must be punished too. And make them pay a huge sum from their earnings to the bereaved mother as compensation.
Every time I read about this kind of incident, I wonder if our society
is fast loosing the value of humanity. Our parents, grand parents
always taught us kindness towards everyone around us - humans and
animals.
Just over last couple of days we've had girl being thrown off railway
after being molested while the rest turned blind eye, minor girl
molested and stripped in Assam and population watched on, hundreds
murdering their unborn female fetuses, workers setting a general
manager on fire and severely injuring several other executives,
criminal negligence in case where a 6 year old slips through hole in
the bus - list goes on and on. Here we have a hospital entrusted to help sick and they murder this child. How can a human be so callous - to kick out premature baby knowing fully that its not going to survive? Sure, hospitals are businesses and they need to make money. But they have to provide some minimal service to those who can not afford it.
Sad, really sad!
Medical negligence on the part of Civil Hospital Jalandhar (Punjab ) authorities wherein a
baby-girl of a poor painter had to lose her life because her dad could not arrange a paltry
sum of two hundred rupees is shocking and deserves full condemnation . On one hand, state
governments are worried about the dwindling ratio of boy-girl figures in their respective
states but on the other hand, they are merciless in afore-said cases. The poor guy pleaded
for more time but the barbaric staff withdrew the life saving devices and handed over the
5day old baby to the helpless miserable mom. Such a cruel and inhuman staff should be
handed over to the Police for proper legal action .
This hospital liscense should be revoked .Was there no doctor who could take a call on Rs 200.The issue is that it was a Govt run hospital so there was no authority who could decide.If it was Ministers Barber call would have been taken even for Rs 2 CR Jai Hind
Shame for India and Punjab when NRHM scheme is in place and an infant dies for Rs 200. Our prime minister should die hearing it when they are wasting crores of rupees fuel to roam about.
In India there is hardly any value given to human life and this is the biggest problem. So many people die everyday who could have been saved and even the media must take the blame. When a celebrity falls ill, it is given major coverage while normal people can not even expect a dignified death. There is no surprise that most of the people are eager to go abroad where there is at least regard for human life.
It was suppose to happen when you run the hospitals for money not to
serve the people. Here I would not hesitate in buying KFC stuffs which
cost least possible 500 bucks. I am ashamed with mentality of people
around there as they are equally guilty in premature death. Thanks.
Our country is talking about Universal health coverage which also
includes cashless treatment and the various schemes day to day
announced by both the central and state govt which are of no use when
the intended beneficery lacks knowledge in it.whenever govt introduces
a scheme its the sole responsibility of the govt to provide knowledge
of the schemes to poor,the above incident is of great shock how can
you allow an infant to die just for a mery 200rs,the hospital staff
should be suspended with immediate effect as these people lag morality
to continue in medical proffession.
But still our Doctors would say they are innocent & because of 1-2 people entire community of Doctors should not be blamed. The fact is our educated Doctors are behaving worse. Killing a baby for Rs200/- is disgusting & speaks volumes
This kind of people should be dismissed from their job. Govt should take necessary steps against this kind of people.
I demand that the hospital staff should be charged for willful murder under sec. 302 of IPC for their premeditated act of cruelty.
Gaurav
Those involved in removing the child from the incubator should be status quo arrested and charged for murder. The medical officers and staff nurse also should be held for this ridiculous situation to arise. This must be a lesson that all lives, whether rich or impoverished are equal and just treatment must be provided.
Unbelievable and shocking! How can humans be so cruel? I think the
evolution of humans are going in the reverse direction. But
certainly not to apes but to some brainless and cruel animal.
This came as a shocker as I was watching the morning news yesterday. Its so unfortunate that medical services in our country show such indifference for petty sum of Rs 200. Its an insult to entire nation aspiring to be a leading economy in the world. Inspite of many programs showcasing how important medical services and medical practitioners are important to our society, such examples of irresponsibility by few raises finger to entire community of doctors who are respected in any society for their human services.
Medical education should not be just limited to just practices and methodologies but imparting a sense of social responsibilities. All medical aspirants should go for this profession if they really believe to make a difference to the practice itself. If one is not clear about it and just want to become doctor as a source of good reimbursement, believe me there are many other professions which promise more money than medical services.
I really could not believe what I was reading. The stupid hospital administrator
should be punished for this - as always - common man's life has NO value in the
incredible India.
It pains to hear news like this.What did the 4 day old do to deserve such a treatment? I pray to God to give peace to the child's family.
Ridiculous! No humanity visible.poor child.my deep regrets.
This is a headline news in almost all newspapers today. Visual
Media also has given wide publicity to this tragic news. But nobody
has suggested any remedy to this Himalayan atrocity. Why? Is it not
their responsibility ? The behavior of the Media in India today,
is only like a thermometer but not as Doctor. This is unfortunate.
I feel very sorry for the child and their parents..may the baby soul
rest in peace... I really don't know how few people behave madly...
these things are happening only in India that too in Government
hospitals... Very strict action must be taken which should be a lesson
for all the hospitals in INDIA...
Only Rs.200/- worth the life of the baby....nasty hospital management...
It is showing our health system,Only Rs200/ is the cost of a baby?
MOTHER lost her baby,...what a capacity of a father..this is the reality
of REAL INDIA,Health system collapsed.R we developing ? Perhaps not,GDP
may increase, asset of FEW people may increase but a aam father cannot
pay Rs 200/ to save the life of his baby.THIS SOCIETY SHOULD ACT .
How anyone in the right mind can do this? A billion+ people and a paltry $4 killed an innocent baby.
It's a pity: while the government spends trillions of rupees in arms race, people die just
because they don't have 200 rupees for medical service. After all when will India have a real
pro-public government?
The chief minister's fast track inquiry will NOT bring the baby back to life nor give any hope to people!!!
Whatever done now can't bring back that poor little soul back. It's
very unfortunate that we are daily stooping to such levels of
inhumanity. I know a friend of mine working in a government
hospital, who arranges herself for incubators for poor people. Do
our governments don't have funds to provide for such basic amenities or is it sheer negligence on part of authorities. I
wonder how many such incidents still await getting attention.
This is indeed very sad news. It speaks not only of our crumbling public
health infrastructure but the apathy that has set in the hearts and
minds of people towards others. We need to ask ourselves what roles we
wish to play as individuals, in our institutions and society at large.
My heart and condolences go out to the family.
It's so tragic. One side its pathetic to see that Government run
hospitals work so carelessly and a person is unable to bear Rs. 200 even
in this times. The Government must be ashamed if they call India as
developing Country. Only one part of population are getting richer day
by day. The downtrodden and poor people are still suffering to achieve
their basic daily needs. What else we can expect from the government who
reward crores to the already rich sportsperson and ignore the helpless
poor citizens. What a Shame.
Shame ! Shame !
After 60 years of independence?
For 200 Rs an innocent baby , who still is unaware of the world, was killed by the world around her.. Imagine the state of the mother who took care of the baby for 9 months and looked on helplessly that she could not support her for even 9 days in the world..
I agree this is a tragedy. However in the mind-set of people they blame only those responsible for proximate cause of any adverse outcome. They anticipate that somehow the hospitals and the doctors should absorb any loss and care for anybody and everybody. What if a taxi driver or a bus driver refuses to give a free ride for a dying patient to the hospital ? What if a restaurant owner refuses to give free food for a person who would die of inanition ? What if a person squanders all his income on gambling, wine and women only to indent on hospitals for free lunch and medical treatment ? Of course I do not sound politically correct but one has to face the facts. Otherwise undue demand for free care will drive the decent physicians and the hospitals out of service.
This is preposterous. Severe punishment should be imposed on the hospital staff. I hope justice be served after inquiry!
Hospital authorities must be taken to task and clear responsibility for
cruel withdrawal of incubator established and offender punished; why
have Govt hospitals IF all have to PAY for services rendered; maybe
there was some other reason too - sought bribe ?? - no clue; Pity. Time
Govt put in place openly all rules relating to treatment and help all.
NO ONE SHOULD DIE FOR WANT OF MONEY. IT MUST BE RULE AND SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED. IT IS SHAME THAT INCUBATOR WAS AVAILABLE BUT WAS NOT USED BECAUSE FATHER COULD NOT ARRANGE FOR RS 200. I WISH THAT HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WILL UNDERSTAND SOME DAY IN THEIR LIFE.
It is very painful & hurtful. How can people be so callous with no milk of kindness.
Terrible incident! heart breaking.'Fast Track' inquiry into the incident - what use is it now for the parents who lost their child?
The life of a person is so cheap in India....heartless hospital authorities.
Terrible! India should be ashamed! The world is watching!
Are we living in a civilized nation? No, we are all living like cannibals.
..and this is a Govt. hospital ? I know nothing will happen as the Indian Govt. them self do this to us the citizens (who pay tax). But I hope the person involved are punished and an example set.May be they could have treated the kid, and charged her father as fraud for non payment. That way at least the kid would have survived.
These are the state of affairs of my motherland. Screw the corrupt government and the medical staff...
We Indians have no human rights values at all in India. This news is very tragic and our systems got so failed. In India, for every small thing, PM/CM/DM(District Megistrate) has to involve. There are so busy and instead of pro active, they(not all but majority) always order a fast track inquiry. What is the use when our systems can not protect and instead the Government staff kill people for not having money to pay? Thanks, Kumar.
I am disgusted at such news! How could be someone so insensitive?
Government hospitals are always doing this! And where were the other
people? Couldn't a single one of them pay a small amount of Rs 200 to
save a life?
So much insensitivity and apathy! Is there really no value to a human life? The situation is
becoming beyond chaotic in India.
Seriously India!!! I am ashamed to say I am from India.. Forget that, I
mean don't these clowns at the hospital have their own children... and
the goons who treat the patients (the so called Doctors in India) don't
they have any feelings for their patients? In India the doctors think
they are Gods, so they think they should be treated as one, I am a
Doctor in the US and such a incident will never happen anywhere in the
world except India.. Its a pity. I know there is no point in commenting
in here, but my heart goes out to the baby girl and the family..
This is really tragic. I am deeply shocked. The person-in-charge of the hospital must be booked for crime of 'murder'. For just Rs. 200/- a precious life that too of a girl child has gone. God knows she could be the next Prathiba Patil. But will the govt , human right comission, NCPCR and other institutions will take strong and stern action, remains to be seen. Well if action is taken that girl child can not be brought back. Alas... This is cold blodded murder and society has gone so insensitive.
What is the goverment doing to prevent such a tragedy in the future ? Can the leadership identify healthcare or administration officials responsible for the loss of life ? And if so, what punishment are we willing to give to these irresponsible officers ? Since Chandigarh is a UT, and capital city for both Haryana and Punjab - I think it will take the authorities atleast 15 years to agree on who is actually responsible for this tragedy.
We challenge the Government and Judicial system to expedite the process and punish the offenders as soon as possible.
Thats why these doctors and staff get beaten up every now and then. how can someone be so insensitive and even if so then why we they chose this Next to God profession.
I feel so sorry what the mother had to go through. If we cannot provide
the basic emergency healthcare as a country we have failed.
This is unacceptable behavior on part of the hospital authorities. They could have continued the treatment while giving more time to the father to pay the amount. There are so many VIP's who get treated have lakhs of Rupees pending in dues and I haven't heard a single case of any hospital refusing to treat them.
It's criminal behavior by the hospital authorities and people must be held accountable.
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