New Delhi: Government hospitals in the national capital showcased the extent of inhumanity when refused to treat a nine-day-old baby suffering from acute breathing problems.
The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital (RML), Lok Nayak Hospital and GB Pant Hospital turned away the baby’s grandfather, Taan Singh from their doorsteps on late Tuesday night as he frantically rushed from hospital to hospital, carrying the infant
The baby, born on 25th May, suffered from a heart condition and was having symptomatic breathing troubles. According to medical reports, the baby was diagnosed with a hole in her heart on birth.
On Tuesday, the baby’s health deteriorated, following which her parents took her to the Delhi government’s Holy Family hospital. However, the hospital refused treatment and referred the baby to AIIMS.
According to the guardians, they first visited AIIMS where they were asked to go to another hospital. Then they knocked on the doors of RML and GB Pant, but there also they were denied.
Following the disappointment, the parents also went to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) hospital only to get the same shabby treatment.
According to the family, the government hospitals cited unavailability of beds as reason for not admitting the ailing child.
The ailing baby was finally admitted at the privately run Indraprastha Apollo Hospital.
“Denied treatment in the government hospitals, we finally took our daughter to the Apollo hospital. Though they admitted our daughter and agreed to treat her, we are facing difficulty in paying the fees,” said Sarita, the baby’s mother.
The Delhi government has now intervened into the matter and has directed Apollo hospital to give full medical treatment to the baby under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) category.
Following an appeal for help, the Delhi government issued notice to the LNJP and GB Pant hospitals, seeking reply within two days on why they refused treatment.
“We are very much worried regarding such issues despite having so many government hospitals,†Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain said. “Notice has been issued and once we get the reply from the doctors, we will proceed ahead,” Jain added.
The patient, who has been out of work for three months due to poor vision, alleged that he was discharged from the hospital after the kits he purchased on the doctor’s advice were found unsatisfactory, the report said.
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