Laxmi (30), who was admitted to the Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College Hospital, after delivering a baby near a drain on Sunday, alleged that she was beaten by hospital employees on Monday evening, and demanded that she be discharged immediately. However, Dean Dr. R. Vallinayagam , citing her health condition, denied permission to leave the hospital.
Speaking to reporters in the hospital, Laxmi said that she was kept in an isolated room and hospital employees abused her and allegedly beat her for taking up the issue with the media. She demanded that her infant was given to her, so that she could leave the hospital.
Earlier, tension prevailed in the premises, when members of women association and Democratic Youth Federation of India demanded that action be taken against the employee who demanded Rs. 1,000 for the delivery, and for allowing her husband, Samuel (30), to be with her in the maternity ward. But the hospital administration said that men would not be allowed inside and asked members of the women association to be with her.
Earlier in the morning, a team, led by Dean Dr. R. Vallinayagam and Resident Medical Officer Geetha David, conducted an inquiry with the doctors and staff nurses who were on duty on Sunday night.
Laxmi was asked to identify the woman who demanded money from her. But the woman could not be identified.
Dr. Vallinayagam said that another inquiry would be conducted with employees and sanitary workers and if the person could not be identified, a compliant would be lodged with the police stating that an ‘unauthorised person’ had entered the ward and demanded money from the patient. Collector K. Maharabushanam told The-Hindu that further inquiry would be conducted on Tuesday and action would be taken accordingly.
Laxmi had delivered a baby near a drain in Corporation’s Commercial Complex in Old Bus Stand premises after being unable to pay the money demanded by an employee at the ward.
Later, she was admitted to the hospital.
