No staff on duty, pregnant woman delivers outside PHC in Bikaner

Jaipur: A pregnant woman in active labour was forced to deliver her baby outside the primary health centre (PHC) in Bhadla village of Nokha area in Bikaner district after finding no doctor or nursing staff on duty, exposing glaring lapses in govt healthcare services.The woman reached the PHC Wednesday seeking urgent medical help, but the facility was effectively unmanned. With no clinical staff available to admit her or assist the delivery, her family members and accompanying women helped her give birth near the PHC gate. Those present held up a cloth to create a makeshift cover for privacy as the delivery took place in the open.
A lone computer operator posted at the centre was the only staff member present at the time and was unable to provide medical assistance, said locals. The doctor allegedly arrived only after the baby had already been delivered. After an inquiry, the health department removed doctor Govind Gedar and nursing staff member Vikram Singh from their posts Thursday. "The PHC is officially staffed with a doctor, nursing staff and other required personnel. However, an inquiry into the incident found that the doctor on duty and the nursing staff along with other staff were absent from their posts at the time the woman arrived and needed care," Bikaner chief medical health officer Dr Pukhraj Sadh told TOI. The incident triggered anger in the village, with residents gathering at the PHC and demanding action. Villager Jogendra Singh alleged that only the computer operator was present when the woman was brought in, leaving no one to admit her or provide clinical support during the emergency. Health department officials termed it a serious case of negligence and said disciplinary action would be initiated against those found responsible for being absent. Dr Sadh said the woman and her newborn are safe and currently under treatment.