Five Safdarjung doctors debarred from duty after pregnant woman delivers baby outside hospital

The Union Health Ministry sought a report from Vardhman Mahavir Medical College (VMMC ) Safdarjung hospital after a woman delivers a baby outside the hospital, and five doctors have been debarred from their duties.

In a statement Union Ministry of Health and family welfare, "On the direction of Union Health Minister a team from the Union Health Ministry visited Safdarjang Hospital for fact finding in the matter of the delivery incident that took place at SJH today morning. Five of the doctors have been debarred from duties till a high-level probe in the matter is completed. The lady and the newborn are currently in the care of the SJH hospital."

The woman who delivered the baby outside the hospital was referred to Safdarjung on Monday.

According to the Hospital PRO Poonam Dhanda, "Safdarjung has no refusal policy, the pregnant woman was examined yesterday at 5:45 pm and offered admission but didn't return with admission papers."

The next day a senior resident on morning duty was informed that a patient was delivering outside the hospital. A team was sent and the delivery was taken care of," she said further.

The Union Health Ministry has ordered a high-level probe into this major lapse.