Pregnant woman left unattended at MGM Hospital Jamshedpur, NHRC takes suo motu cognizance  

Jamshedpur: National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of a shocking media report about a pregnant woman who was left unattended for 27 hours at the MGM Hospital, Jamshedpur, leading to the death of her unborn child on August 31, 2024. The woman, referred to the hospital from a Community Health Centre for better medical care, was reportedly forced to lie on the floor due to the unavailability of beds. Despite being in severe labour pain, she received no medical attention, and her baby tragically died in the womb the following day.

The NHRC has raised serious concerns over the incident, noting that the media report points to a severe violation of human rights. It was also reported that another woman, who had recently given birth, was being treated on the floor, further highlighting systemic issues within the hospital’s management and resource allocation.

In response, the NHRC has issued a notice to the Chief Secretary of the Government of Jharkhand, demanding a detailed report within two weeks. The report must include the health status of the victim woman, the availability of beds and facilities in government hospitals across the state, and details of any compensation provided to the victim’s family.

The NHRC’s intervention aims to ensure accountability in the state’s public healthcare system and safeguard the basic rights of individuals, especially vulnerable women in urgent need of medical care. The state government has been urged to conduct a thorough investigation and implement necessary reforms to prevent such tragedies in the future.