Kupwara : A pregnant woman was helped by Covid-19 positive pregnant women to deliver a baby at an isolation centre in Putshai area of Lolab in north Kashmir’s Kuwpara district in the intervening night of June 12 and 13 as not even a single staff member from the paramedics was present on the occasion. Ironically, ambulance driver was also missing.
The woman later delivered a baby with the help of other pregnant women present in the ward, who were also Covid positive.
Eyewitness told that the pregnant lady delivered the baby in most challenging conditions as not even a single doctor, paramedics or a nurse was present there to give the required medical attention to her
“The lady from Sarkuli area of Lolab, last night developed labour pain and the expected mother was about to deliver a baby in the isolation ward. We looked for the medical staff stationed there who come and go on their own but none was available. Even the ambulance driver was also missing,” they said.
The woman was in pain while most of the positive patients (mostly pregnant women) were all unaware about the entire procedure of delivery, post-delivery, but they still helped the woman in need and luckily both mother and the new-borne were safe post-delivery, the eye-witnesses said.
“A Covid positive patient, who herself was pregnant, voluntarily came to the rescue of the patient along other women present in the ward. They ensured the delivery of new born in absence of the doctor and paramedical staff,” the witnesses told. “Thank God, both mother and the new born were safe post-delivery.”
The incident has created a fear among all the pregnant ladies at Putshai isolation center. “Who will guarantee our safety. Medical staff which is supposed to be present round the clock come and go at their own choice without caring for us,” a group of women present the ward alleged.
Additional deputy commissioner, Kupwara, Nazir Ahmad, who is also nodal officer for COVID-19 in the district dispelled the allegations and said that a medical team was present there and dropped the phone.
Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Kupwara, Dr Kausar Amin told that the medical team deputed at the hospital have come up with a proof that they were present and delivery took place in their presence. “They have the photographic evidence as well,” she said. “I was intimated about the absence of the medical team by some relative of the lady earlier.”
She said she will still verify whether the team was present in the hospital. “If the medical team is found involved in any negligence, they will face strict action as per rules. There will be a probe into entire incident,” she said—(KNO)
