Newborn’s father alleged that even AIIMS, the country’s premier hospital, turned them away stating they do not admit infants under one month old
Shaheen may just 18 days old, but already she is experiencing the apathy and confusion that surround the Capital's and the country's hospitals. Coming from Rampur in Uttar Pradesh, this newborn was born with several health complications including VSD (Ventricular Septal Defect) leading to two 'holes' in the heart. Since then her desperate parents have been visiting various hospitals, hoping to get treatment.
It was on July 19, when the family first brought the infant to Delhi. They first went to Chacha Nehru Hospital where she was denied admission due to unavailability of beds. The parents stated that another refusal came the same day from Kalawati Saran Children's Hospital. According to them, the hospital stated that they provide treatment only to children born in their hospital.
With no other option, Shaheen was taken to Moradabad the same day for her treatment, but four days later the hospital discharged her, stating that they needed more specialised care than they could provide.
"I have been moving around towns begging for help to save my daughter's life," said Mohammad Raisuddin, Shaheen's father, a labourer in Rampur. "We have taken her to almost every hospital and she still has not been given treatment. My wife, who just delivered, is alone at home and I am moving between towns with no response from any hospital so far," he added.
Raisuddin stated that Shaheen was then brought to Safdarjung on July 23, was admitted for a day, but there were no ventilators for her and thus she had to be taken to Lok Nayak Hospital's emergency's ward from where she was referred to a private hospital under the EWS — economically weaker sections — quota. However, Max Hospital kept her only for 24-hours and referred her to another hospital citing unavailability of beds.
The ordeal of the family did not end there. Her father alleged that even AIIMS, the country's premier hospital, turned them away stating they do not admit infants under one month old. He also alleged that St. Stephen's hospital asked for Rs. 60,000 for the admission and further Rs, 25,000 for the treatment which the family did not have.
DNA tried to speak with the concerned hospitals regarding the family's allegations, but was unable to get a response.
It was only on Wednesday that the family got some relief. Noted social activist Ashok Agarwal, learned of their case and managed to help them get a bed in Mata Chanan Devi Hospital in Janakpuri for free.
Speaking to DNA, Aggarwal said that cases like Shaheen's had become increasingly common.
"These kinds of cases have become common now. I hear of critical patients not finding beds in government hospitals and go through all this running around," said Aggarwal. "I do my best to get them help, but that's not always possible. Our health system needs looking into," he added.
LACK OF CARE
- Newborn’s father alleged that even AIIMS, the country’s premier hospital, turned them away stating they do not admit infants under one month old.
- He also alleged that St. Stephen’s hospital asked for Rs 60,000 for the admission, which the family did not have
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