The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Whither Hippocratic oath?

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Dec 20, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Whither Hippocratic oath?

By Our Staff Reporter

NIZAMABAD, DEC. 19. A tribal woman, Shanta Bai of Sidhapur tanda in Pitlam mandal was forced to deliver her baby on the roadside after she was reportedly turned away by the duty doctor at Government Hospital, Banswada, on the ground that she was anaemic.

The duty doctor, Vijaylakshman, allegedly asked Shanta Bai's husband, Devi Singh, to rush her to the district headquarters hospital or to a local nursing home. On his advice, Shanta Bai was admitted to a private hospital. The doctor there too reportedly expressed her helplessness.

While Devi Singh went in search of a vehicle to shift Shanta Bai to the district headquarters hospital, 50 km away, she developed labour pains outside the hospital.

Seeing this some passersby shifted her to a roadside tent where she gave birth to a female baby.

Enraged by this, the locals gathered near the private hospital and decried the attitude of the doctors. The Sub-Inspector, B. Sankaraiah, rushed to the spot and pacified them.

Meanwhile, Dr. Vijayalakshman reportedly explained that he did not neglect the patient and did what all was required.

He said he did not admit her as he was afraid that the case would turn out to be critical.

Mr. Sankaraiah said he shifted the mother and baby to the Government hospital where they are recovering.

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