Mumbai, May 3: A heart-wrenching incident has stirred outrage as a 26-year-old woman, Saheedun Ansari, and her newborn child lost their lives due to a power outage at a BMC maternity home, where delivery was performed using a mobile phone torchlight, reported NDTV. The incident sheds light on the precarious state of health services in Mumbai, the country’s financial capital.
Saheedun Ansari, a resident of Bhandup, was admitted to the Sushma Swaraj maternity home in Hanuman Nagar. On the evening of April 29, she gave birth to her first child. Tragically, the baby was declared dead shortly after birth on April 30, around 12:30 am. Despite efforts, Saheedun Ansari succumbed to her condition after being transferred to LTMG Sion Hospital.
Her husband, Khusruddin Ansari, who is physically challenged, admitted her to the hospital. The family alleges that the hospital experienced a power cut, and the generator was not activated for three hours. Even after the loss of the mother and child, another delivery reportedly took place in darkness.
Outraged family members protested outside the hospital on consecutive days, demanding strict action against the hospital staff and an inquiry into medical negligence. They claim that the healthcare facility lacked essential equipment like oxygen cylinders for emergencies.
Saheedun Ansari’s relatives expressed disbelief, stating that her health was excellent throughout her pregnancy. They questioned the circumstances leading to her sudden demise, highlighting concerns about the level of facilities provided by government hospitals.
The family has filed a written complaint with the police, urging legal action against the delivery doctor and staff. They criticized the Maharashtra government’s claims of better healthcare facilities, questioning the viability of Prime Minister Modi’s vision of making India Vishwaguru with such healthcare conditions.
As the community mourns the loss of Saheedun Ansari and her newborn child, the incident underscores the urgent need for improvements in healthcare infrastructure and accountability in the delivery of medical services.
