A baby was stillborn due to wrong handling by ‘helpers’ in the absence of the doctor concerned at a government hospital in south Tripura on Monday. Health Minister Tapan Chakraborty said he would look into the allegation of misconduct against the doctor. The incident at the subdivision hospital at Amarpur, 75 km south of Agartala, showcased the dismal health services in rural areas due to negligent doctors and health staff. Only six doctors are managing the 75-bed hospital.
Dr. Nirbendu Das was slated to conduct the delivery of Sevika Das, wife of daily wage earner Choton Das, on Monday morning. “She did not have any complication, so we expected a normal baby,” he said. Mr. Choton Das alleged Dr. Nirbendu Das was available at the official quarters on the hospital premises but chose not to perform the delivery. The ‘helpers’, who are said to have been frequently assigned the responsibility to handle such cases, took care of this delivery as well.
The baby was born dead and the couple blamed the doctor and ‘helpers’ for the death of their first baby. Mr. Choton Das and his wife left the hospital around afternoon for Bumpur, their village.
“The death of the baby is unfortunate. We will look into the matter if there was negligence on part of the doctor,” Mr. Chakraborty said.
