State Ordered to Pay Rs 17.95 Lakh Over Negligent Delivery Care in Ajara Taluka
The Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (MSHRC) has directed the Maharashtra state government to pay Rs 17.95 lakh in compensation to the family of a 23-year-old woman over the violation of her right to life due to negligent emergency care during labour. The incident took place at the Watangi Primary Health Centre (PHC) and the Ajara Rural Hospital, both located in Ajara taluka of Kolhapur district.
The commission found that the pregnant woman, Priyanka Navar, was subjected to apathetic treatment and was shuttled between medical facilities due to a severe shortage of doctors. Furthermore, her delivery was ultimately conducted by medical staff who lacked proper training in obstetrics.
According to the case details, Navar was registered for her delivery at the Watangi PHC. She had undergone all necessary antenatal tests and sonography scans, which indicated that her pregnancy was progressing normally. Her expected date of delivery was scheduled for November 24.
However, two days before her due date, Navar went into labour. The on-duty doctor at the Watangi PHC advised her family that she needed to be shifted to the Ajara Rural Hospital for better care. When the family transported her to the Ajara Rural Hospital, they discovered that no doctor was available at the facility to attend to her.
With no medical practitioners or gynaecologists present at the rural hospital, Navar had to be taken back to the Watangi PHC. It was at this primary health centre where her delivery was eventually performed.
Navar's family reported being shocked by the scenes inside the labour room during the delivery. They stated that the mother was bleeding profusely, and the clinic staff on hand were completely unable to control or stop the bleeding.
The MSHRC's directive highlights critical deficiencies plaguing rural healthcare infrastructure in Maharashtra, particularly the lack of gynaecologists and the deployment of untrained staff for critical obstetric procedures. The state government has now been ordered to compensate the family with Rs 17.95 lakh for the severe lapse in care.
