BS RAWAT
NEW DELHI : The National Human Rights Commission has issued notice to the Delhi government over the death of 558 women during delivery in its hospitals in the year gone by.

An RTI response has revealed this shocking record of Delhi government hospitals, which boast of world-class healthcare facilities but have failed to save the lives of pregnant women.

Rajhans Bansal, the activist who complained to NHRC, said: "The number of maternal deaths taking place in public  hospitals is very high."

The NHRC order said, “The petitioner has alleged deaths of several women during pregnancy at various government hospitals in Delhi and inaction by state authorities.”

“Let a notice be issued to the principal secretary, Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of NCT of Delhi, calling for report within four weeks,” the rights panel ordered.

“Take further notice that in default the Commission may proceed to take such action as it deems proper,” the notice added.

A doctor at Lok Nayak Hospital in Delhi said on condition of anonymity, that the public hospitals in Delhi lack critical patient care facilities. This includes a shortage of beds in general wards as well as in the ICUs.

He stated, “Shortage of beds, dysfunctional critical care equipment and unfilled posts of nursing and paramedical staff add to the crisis."