
Court’s sharp remarks on healthcare lapses
Patna: The Patna High Court has strongly criticised the functioning of unregistered private nursing homes in Bihar, describing negligence in such facilities as a “regular feature” in the state. The observation came while hearing an anticipatory bail plea filed by the owner of a private nursing home in Mohania, Kaimur district, where a woman died after childbirth.
Case linked to culpable homicide charge
The nursing home owner has been booked for culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Justice Rajiv Roy expressed concern over the manner in which such establishments continue to operate despite lacking proper registration and oversight.
District administration pulled up
The court also faulted the district administration for failing to maintain data on the number of young women who have died due to alleged negligence at unregistered nursing homes. It observed that the absence of such records reflects systemic apathy towards maternal healthcare.
Emotional observation by the bench
During the hearing, the court remarked that a pregnant woman approaches a private nursing home with hope and joy, only to be exploited by unregistered facilities that charge hefty sums while providing substandard care. The bench noted that such incidents expose the grim reality of healthcare delivery in many parts of the state.
Details of the incident
In the present case, the woman was admitted to a private hospital owned by the petitioner, where a visiting doctor conducted the delivery. While the child was born safely, the mother died soon after. The court observed that many such nursing homes function without adequate equipment, specialists or infrastructure, yet continue to run unchecked.
Earlier directives on hospital regulation
Referring to previous cases, the court recalled that it had issued directions to strengthen regulation of healthcare institutions in Bihar, particularly hospitals with one to 40 beds. These directions followed a separate incident in Bhojpur district where a woman reportedly died during a post-delivery blood transfusion at an unregistered hospital.
Bail granted with conditions
Taking into account that the petitioner is a nurse with no criminal antecedents, the court granted anticipatory bail. However, it directed her to deposit Rs 1 lakh in a fixed deposit for the welfare of the newborn child. The amount can be encashed only after the child attains the age of sixteen and is meant for educational purposes.
Support ordered for the newborn
The court further directed the district administration and the civil surgeon of Kaimur to ensure free education, healthcare and health insurance for the child. The case has once again underscored the urgent need for stricter regulation and continuous monitoring of private nursing homes in Bihar to prevent maternal deaths.