Jalandhar Civil Hospital: Failure to pay Rs 200 results in newborn's death

That an indigent man lost his new-born girl because he couldn't arrange Rs 200 is shocking. The appalling incident took place in a government hospital at Jalandhar. Doctors took the premature infant (born on July 20) off the incubator after her parents couldn't arrange the money. Civil hospital authorities asked the man to arrange money ostensibly the electricity charges for the incubator and took the baby off it when he couldn't pay.

Sanjiv Kumar, a painter by profession, asked many people to lend him money but no one had that amount to spare. The hospital authorities removed the baby from the incubator and the baby passed away on Wednesday night.

Kumar said, "The baby was very ill. They (hospital authorities) asked us to deposit Rs 200 first. We begged and pleaded them to admit our child but they refused." He also believes that the glucose drip was also removed from the baby for non-payment of dues. Understandably, the child's mother is inconsolable. "They killed my child," she said.

The hospital Chief Medical Officer said that he couldn't believe such an incident took place and asked the girl's father to submit a formal complaint after which he'll look into the matter.

India.com Health View

This incident is indeed shocking and truly explains the healthcare situation in our country. We're sure now that this incident has gained media coverage like the sweeper incident the authorities will make the right noises, the CM will order ahigh level probe, the CMO and perhaps other docs on duty will be expelled or transferred. The more horrifying realisation is probably the fact that incidents like this occur every day in different parts of the country. There's a need to address the core issue. That it's the government's job to provide healthcare to its citizens. That's why you and I pay taxes. Sadly, the government doesn't look capable of doing that any time in the near future.