Ayodhya shocker: Woman and newborn die after ‘untrained staff' conduct delivery with directions over phone by doctor

Ayodhya: A 32-year-old woman and her newborn allegedly died due to medical negligence after a delivery was carried out by “untrained staff" at a private hospital, with the doctor reportedly guiding the procedure over the phone, according to officials and family members on Thursday.

They said the incident occurred late Tuesday night in Faizabad, after which the health department sealed the hospital and began an investigation, as per PTI.

What happened?

Suresh Yadav, a resident of Beniganj, said his wife, Soni Yadav, was admitted to Maa Parmeshwari Devi Memorial Hospital after she developed labour pains. He added that the attending doctor, Anjali Shrivastava, had initially told them that her condition was normal.

"After about half an hour, the staff handed over the baby and said he was not breathing. When we took the newborn to a nearby doctor, he was declared dead. Upon returning, we were told my wife's condition had worsened. She was then taken to another hospital, where she was also declared dead," Yadav claimed.

The family alleged that the doctor was absent during the delivery, which was instead carried out by a staff member who was reportedly receiving instructions over the phone. The husband claimed that no qualified doctor was present at the time, accusing the hospital of gross negligence.

Following the complaint, a team from the health department, headed by Additional Chief Medical Officer Dr Ashutosh Shrivastava, inspected the hospital.

During the inspection, no doctor or trained medical personnel were found on the premises. A man identified as Mahesh Singh, who claimed to be the hospital’s manager, was found handling operations, the ACMO said.

"Three women who had undergone caesarean sections were also admitted there, and their care was left to the manager," the ACMO mentioned.

He added that the hospital’s records were not complete, the doctor’s credentials were not presented, and medical waste management was found to be inadequate.

While stating the doctor couldn't be located, the ACMO mentioned, “The hospital has been sealed and the admitted patients have been shifted to the district women's hospital. Further investigation is underway, and an FIR will be registered if negligence is established."

Suresh Yadav said he had married Soni, a resident of Mukimpur in Inayat Nagar, in April last year, and the couple was awaiting their first child.

"Our happiness has been shattered due to the hospital's negligence," he said, seeking stringent action against those responsible.

(With inputs from PTI)