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Monday, April 28, 2008

[mukto-mona] 'Untouchable' mother and baby die after high-caste Hindu doctors refuse to treat them

"The mother-to-be, Maya Devi, 28, was brought to the Kanpur Medical College hospital in northern Uttar Pradesh state by friends. She was suffering severe pain and complications that prevented her giving birth. But as she lay in a corridor outside the maternity wing, doctors - including the hospital's chief medical superintendent - reportedly told her that they would not be treating her because she was a Dalit, or untouchable."

'Untouchable' mother and baby die after high-caste Hindu doctors refuse to treat them

By RICHARD SHEARS - Last updated at 12:40pm on 25th April 2008
 
India's medieval caste system has claimed the lives of an "untouchable" mother and her newborn baby after high-caste doctors refused to treat her.
The sad case of the young mother - who died a day after her baby perished because medics wanted nothing to do with her - highlights the ongoing problems faced by the millions who are at the bottom of India's social ladder.
The mother-to-be, Maya Devi, 28, was brought to the Kanpur Medical College hospital in northern Uttar Pradesh state by friends.
She was suffering severe pain and complications that prevented her giving birth.
But as she lay in a corridor outside the maternity wing, doctors - including the hospital's chief medical superintendent - reportedly told her that they would not be treating her because she was a Dalit, or untouchable.
People in that caste have long been ostracised and forced into menial jobs such as cleaning toilets and sweeping the streets.
Laws banning discrimination have failed to make much difference in most cities.
Many high-class Hindus refuse to have any contact with untouchables, fearing they will contract diseases such as leprosy and TB.
Maya's baby was born in the corridor but died shortly afterwards. Her mother went into a coma.
Learning of her plight, Dr Kiran Pandey, head of the gynaecology unit, who was an hour's drive away, turned her car around and sped back to the hospital.
Refusing to listen to doctors who told her of Maya's caste, Dr Pandey brought the unconscious mother into the intensive care unit, where she had a heart attack.
Her life was saved, but then she went into cardiac arrest for a second time and could not be revived.
"We provided her with the best medicines and treatment once she was in the intensive care unit, but she succumbed to those two cardiac arrests," said Dr Pandey.
The hospital's principal, Dr Anand Swaroop, along with a district magistrate, has ordered a full inquiry into the case.
The doctors who refused to help her have been suspended as the investigation into their conduct continues.


With Regards

Abi

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