Akhilesh Yadav, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, has sacked the chief medical officer of a government hospital in Bahraich district on Thursday over the delay of treatment of 10-month-old baby leading to his death due to an alleged demand of Rs 20 in bribe by the staff to admit him and provide medical aid.
“Strict action will be taken against those officials who neglect patients,” Akhilesh said, issuing the orders.
According to family members of the child, Krishna, a nurse in the district hospital, allegedly administered "a wrong injection" as she was not paid "bribe" causing the infant’s death on the morning of August 9.
Shivdutt, the child's father, alleged that he admitted his son in the district hospital on August 7 after paying Rs 100 to the nurse and Rs 20 to a sweeper for securing a bed in the children's ward.
He claimed his son was not given proper treatment by the nurse who gave him a wrong injection after which he died.
Earlier, the Uttar Pradesh govt has been served a notice by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) for violation of right to life of poor patients.
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“According to the media report, a 10-month-old child was brought to the Children's Ward at the biggest government hospital in Bahraich, who was suffering from high fever.
“The nurse allegedly asked for money to get the documents in order. The sweeper of the Children's Ward asked for the bribe to place the child on the bed and the next morning, a medical assistant came and asked for money for a crucial injection, which was required for the treatment of the child," an official statement said.
After a long argument, the injection was brought but the child succumbed to his illness before it could be administered, it said.
“The doctor in-charge at the Bahraich district hospital has stated that there was no delay in giving the injection by the hospital. He has also stated that the sweeper, who
demanded the bribe, has been removed and the concerned nurse has been transferred," the Commission said.
Demands for bribes and undue payments for treatment are rife in the healthcare system in the country. Overcrowded state-run hospitals lack basic resources in many states, making matters worse.
