Newborn dies after sweeper attempts delivery at Surguja CHC, family alleges negligence

Surguja: In a shocking incident at Kunni Village Community Health Centre (CHC) in Chhattisgarh's Surguja, a newborn died during delivery after a sweeper reportedly tried to assist the birth in the absence of a doctor and nursing staff. The incident has raised serious concerns over staffing and preparedness at rural healthcare facilities.  

According to the news reports, on the night of February 16, a woman from Jamdara village went into labor at her maternal home and was rushed to the CHC around 11 pm, seeking medical assistance. However, no doctor or staff nurse was available at the facility at the time.

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The family alleged that had medical staff been present on time, the tragedy could have been avoided. “If doctors and nurses had been available, perhaps the baby would still be alive,” they said.

Chief Medical and Health Officer PS Marko stated that it was a case of breech presentation, a condition where the baby is positioned buttocks or feet first instead of head-first, which occurs in about 3–4% of term pregnancies.

According to Amar Ujala, the CMHO also stated that the woman hadn't received any routine checkups during her pregnancy. A sonography wasn't performed, which prevented the baby's position from being determined. During delivery, it was discovered that the baby was breech.

He further stated the on-duty nurse had not reported for work on the day of the incident. "The CHC has three nurses, and one of them was on duty but did not report for work. The remaining nurses are on medical leave," Marko said, adding that if anyone is found guilty of neglecting duty, they will be transferred with the Collector's approval, reports ETV Bharat.

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