New Delhi, Sept 23 (UNI) The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognisance of media reports concerning the death of a newborn allegedly due to lack of medical facilities at the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS), a government-run mental health institution in Delhi, a government statement said here.
According to the report, the infant was born in a washroom of the hospital on September 7, where the mother—a destitute woman—had been admitted under court orders. The hospital reportedly lacked basic delivery infrastructure.
It has been alleged that hospital staff delayed cutting the umbilical cord due to the unavailability of necessary equipment, following which the mother and child were transferred to Swami Dayanand Hospital. However, the newborn could not be saved.
Taking cognisance of the incident, the NHRC observed that the reported facts, if true, amount to a grave violation of human rights.
The Commission has issued a notice to the Delhi Chief Secretary, seeking a detailed report within two weeks.
As per media accounts published on September 10, hospital authorities confirmed that the woman was admitted despite IHBAS not being equipped to handle childbirths. She is currently undergoing treatment at another government facility, said the statement.
