Amravati: Days after three infants died in a fire in the SNCU of the District Women’s Hospital, the hospital is again in the dock. A new mother was forced to sit on its steps with her newborn after staff claimed the hospital vehicle had no diesel.The lapse came to light during BJP MLC Chitra Wagh’s visit to the hospital on Saturday to review the fire incident that occurred last Monday.Wagh found Reena Uike, a native of Madhya Pradesh currently living in Mahuli Jahagir, sitting on the steps with her baby and mother-in-law. Uike had been admitted eight days ago for delivery and was discharged on Saturday. Though a hospital drop vehicle was available, her family was told there was no diesel.An agitated Wagh asked the district civil surgeon Dr Vinod Pawar why no coordinator was present to guide the patients and why the staff failed to notice a woman with a newborn sitting on the steps.“If we had not come, what would have happened? The government is doing good work, but such negligence tarnishes its image. There is an attempt to defame the government,” Wagh said, directing the administration to immediately arrange a vehicle.During the visit, attendants also alleged that patients referred to other hospitals are forced to hire private vehicles.Wagh was told that a pregnant woman advised referral to Nagpur had to be shifted to PDMC Hospital in a private vehicle after her family said they had no support system in Nagpur. Wagh sought an explanation from the hospital administration on the issue as well.
