Thaindian News

Bahraich (Uttar Pradesh), Oct 7 (IANS) Unable to pay bribe allegedly demanded by the hospital staff for admission, a poor woman gave birth to her child on the doorsteps of a government hospital in Bahraich town of Uttar Pradesh Friday afternoon.

The incident took place in the women’s section of the district hospital where the woman Kamla was rushed by her husband Ram Bahadur earlier in the day from their native village Bisheshwarganj, about 37 km away from Bahraich town.

According to Ram Bahadur, the doctor on duty refused to listen to his plea that he was a poor man and was in no position to pay the bribe openly demanded by the hospital staff before admission.

While he was still pleading with the doctor and other para-medical staff, his wife Kamla, who was writhing in labour pain, gave birth to the baby at the hospital gate in full view of passers-by all around.

P.K. Mishra, the doctor on duty refused to speak to local journalists when he was confronted with queries on the issue. “I don’t have to to say anything,” he told reporters.

The chief medical superintendent O.P. Pandey made counter allegations against the poor couple. “They were only interested in getting the ex-gratia payment of Rs.1,400 given by the government under the Janani Suraksha Yojna (a social security scheme for expectant mothers); that was why both the husband and wife staged all the drama,” he argued.

However, Ram Bahadur pleaded: “I rushed my wife from a rural pocket in search of proper medical assistance, and this is the treatment we receive from the doctors whom we consider like god.”

With the new-born wrapped up in a torn gunny bag, he added: “You can see, even after the birth, they refused to admit Kamla in the hospital, so we are going back to the village.”