BMCH nurses accused of negligence; probe ordered, political row erupts
Hazaribag: In a shocking case of alleged medical negligence, a pregnant woman in active labour was turned away by nurses at Sheikh Bhikhari Medical College and Hospital (SBMCH), who wrongly declared her unborn baby dead. However, just two hours later, she delivered a healthy baby boy at a nearby private hospital.
The woman, hailing from Chalkusa in Barkatha block, had travelled 120 km to SBMCH along with her husband, arriving at 1 a.m. on Wednesday. Instead of immediate admission, nurses cited an outdated haemoglobin report—showing 10 gm/dL—and told the couple that the fetus had died.
Nurses Were Allegedly Asleep in OT
The woman’s husband, Binod, protested, explaining the report was 10 days old, and was asked to go upstairs to the Operation Theatre (OT) to consult the head nurse. However, he found the OT doors locked, and despite repeated banging and cries for help, no one responded. Later, nurses admitted that some of their colleagues were asleep inside the OT.
With his wife’s condition worsening, Binod rushed her to Mission Hospital, a private facility 2 km away, where doctors found her haemoglobin level to be 12 gm/dL. By 3 a.m., a C-section was performed, and she delivered a healthy 4-kg baby boy.
“If I had relied on SBMCH, I would’ve lost both my wife and son,” Binod told the Times of India, demanding strict action and justice.
Probe Ordered, Health Minister Responds
Hazaribag DC Shashi Prakash Singh confirmed that he has asked the SBMCH superintendent, Dr Anukaran Purti, to constitute an inquiry team and submit a detailed report. He assured that action will be taken and such negligence will not be tolerated.
The incident has caused public outrage and triggered a political storm. BJP leader Arjun Saw, who supported the couple, claimed he was threatened by hospital staff for intervening. He further alleged that the hospital was attempting to divert attention by falsely accusing him of harassment.
Hazaribag MP Manish Jaiswal also condemned the hospital’s conduct and promised to raise the matter at a higher level. He plans to meet the hospital superintendent on Friday.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Irfan Ansari, in a post on social media platform X, assured a government probe and accountability for those found guilty.
