Government Orders Probe into Hospital Birth Incident

Kathmandu. Health and Food Sanitation Minister Nisha Mehta has informed that the government has initiated a necessary investigation into the incident where a woman gave birth outside the main gate of Gajendra Narayan Singh Hospital in Rajbiraj, Saptari. Responding to questions raised by MPs during the zero hour and special time in the House of Representatives meeting on Friday, she stated that the government has taken the incident seriously and is proceeding with action. She informed that the hospital staff on duty at the time of the incident have been removed from work and are being investigated. She stated that a five-member team, including Registrar of Nepal Medical Council Dr. Subhrapratap Shrestha and Ethical Committee's Dr. Ajay Shah, has already reached Rajbiraj for an on-site investigation of the incident. The ministry has sought a 24-hour clarification, and the clarification has been received from the hospital. Speaking in Parliament, Minister Mehta said, 'The government has taken serious note of the issue raised by the honorable members regarding the incident where a mother gave birth outside the premises of Gajendra Narayan Singh Hospital in Rajbiraj, Saptari. Upon receiving information about the incident, the ministry sought a 24-hour clarification from the hospital regarding the incident, and the clarification has been submitted by the hospital.' Informing about the deployment of the investigation team, she added, 'A five-member team, including Registrar of Nepal Medical Council Dr. Subhrapratap Shrestha and Dr. Ajay Shah from the Ethical Committee, reached Rajbiraj yesterday for an on-site investigation. Along with this team, the head of the Curative Services Division of the Department of Health Services, Dr. Pawan Jung Raimajhi, is also present from the ministry.' Clarifying the administrative steps, she said, 'A committee has been formed by the District Administration Office, Saptari, for the investigation into the incident. Furthermore, the staff on duty at the hospital at the time of the incident have been immediately removed from work, and the necessary investigation has begun.' Speaking about the state's responsibility, she added, 'Ensuring the life protection of mother and newborn, safe reproduction, and quality health services is the primary responsibility of the state, and the ministry has taken the incident in Rajbiraj seriously.' Speaking about the preliminary details received from the hospital, she said, 'According to the preliminary details received from the hospital, Babita Kumari Paswan, 30, arrived at the hospital around 2 AM on Bhadra 24 in labor. After a preliminary health check-up, she was admitted to the delivery ward bed number 24.' Explaining the incident of leaving the hospital, she added, 'Due to the lack of necessary examination reports, she was advised to undergo essential tests. After that, she and her attendant left the hospital without staying in the bed provided by the hospital, and it is reported that she gave birth outside the main gate of the hospital around 4:45 AM.' Informing about the post-delivery condition, she said, 'After delivery, when the mother and newborn returned to the delivery ward with the placenta, the on-duty health workers cut the umbilical cord and requested them to stay at the hospital for necessary post-delivery care and treatment.' Adding to the health workers' request, she said, 'Despite the request, it is reported from the hospital that she left the hospital. The investigation committee is working on this.' Clarifying the legal action, she said, 'After receiving the investigation report, those found guilty will be punished according to the law. The hospital has already committed to ensuring that such a situation does not happen again, and the ministry has also taken this seriously and alerted the hospital.' She also informed the meeting that the hospital has already committed to not letting such incidents happen in the future.