The family members of a pregnant woman who gave birth to a premature baby at a Bengal government hospital in Bankura district have alleged that a stray dog took the newborn away. The incident sparked concerns regarding the infrastructure and security at state-run medical facilities in West Bengal.
Alleging negligence by the authorities, former Union minister and BJP leader Pratima Bhoumik said: “A shocking incident from Sonamukhi [in Bankura], West Bengal, exposes the harsh reality under Mamata Banerjee’s ‘world-class’ health leadership. A pregnant woman gave birth in a toilet, with no medical help, and a stray dog snatched the newborn.” She also shared a photo of the dog with the newborn its mouth. The image is now being widely shared.
A shocking incident from Sonamukhi, West Bengal, exposes the harsh reality under Mamata Banerjee’s ‘world-class’ health leadership.
A pregnant woman gave birth in a toilet, with no medical help, and a stray dog snatched the newborn.
Heartbreaking negligence! #ShameOnMamata pic.twitter.com/G3lJUVai6p
— Pratima Bhoumik (@PratimaBhoumik) November 20, 2024
The local woman was admitted to the Bankura Sonamukhi Rural Hospital in the Bishnupir subdivision after experiencing labour pain on the night of November 18. However, she delivered her six-month-old premature baby in a hospital washroom, where it was allegedly taken by a stray dog that was wandering the hospital grounds, reported news website The Hindu.
Following the incident, the woman was transferred to Bishnupur Super-Speciality Hospital for further treatment. Hospital officials have stated that they will conduct an investigation into the matter. However, the woman’s family claimed that despite their repeated calls for assistance, no staff member came to help them during the ordeal.
This incident comes amid the ongoing protests in West Bengal, wherein doctors have been demanding improved safety measures and better infrastructure at hospitals. The protests were sparked by the rape and murder of a 31-year-old woman doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9.
