Gurgaon: Days after a 31-year-old woman delivered a baby in the park of a govt hospital in Faridabad after not receiving timely medical assistance, the health department announced a slew of emergency measures to strengthen maternal healthcare across the state.Additional chief secretary (health and family welfare) Dr Sumita Misra issued directions to all civil surgeons, giving them three days to ensure no delivery point remains understaffed and that emergency maternal care services function without interruption. District authorities have been asked to immediately deploy additional nursing staff from other facilities wherever shortages are identified.To strengthen delivery care, all 24×7 health facilities have been directed to ensure the continuous physical presence of staff nurses at delivery points. Facility in-charges and district National Health Mission (NHM) teams have also been instructed to conduct random night inspections to monitor staff attendance and service functioning.All First Referral Units (FRUs) in Haryana must now maintain at least one fully equipped ambulance round the clock. Facilities handling a high volume of deliveries have additionally been directed to keep dedicated emergency ambulances stocked with essential medicines and equipment for maternal care.In another key decision, the main entry gates of all govt health facilities will remain open 24×7 to ensure uninterrupted patient access during emergencies, particularly at night. Health institutions have also been directed to improve safety and security arrangements for personnel posted during night shifts at Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and Community Health Centres (CHCs).The incident occurred at the 30-bed FRU hospital in Sector 3 in the early hours of Saturday and triggered outrage after the woman’s family alleged that the main gate was locked and no doctor, nurse or support staff could be located despite repeated calls for help.According to the family, Balesh, a resident of Badoli village, was brought to the hospital after she went into labour around 1.40am.Finding the main gate shut, the family knocked and shouted for assistance before locating a rear entrance. Even after entering, they alleged, no staff came forward to help. With labour progressing rapidly, the baby was delivered in the hospital park under torchlight with the help of a relative, before mother and newborn were shifted inside.A subsequent inquiry ordered by the health department found lapses in night-duty arrangements, leading to the suspension of two staffers for negligence. Officials said the latest measures are aimed at ensuring timely treatment, dignified care and uninterrupted medical support for pregnant women visiting govt health institutions.
