Hyderabad hospital holds havan to save newborns, draws flak

THOSE WHO TOOK PART IN THE HAVAN CLAIMED THAT THE MONEY WAS COLLECTED THROUGH VOLUNTARY DONATIONS FROM THE STAFF

Instead of focusing on treating patients, senior doctors and staff of a government hospital in Hyderabad performed a havan within the premises to prevent maternal and newborn deaths.

Staff of the 150-year-old Gandhi Hospital conducted a fourhour-long Mrityunjaya Havan on Monday to appease gods, following the death of around six babies in the maternity ward over the past few weeks. Senior officials, however, denied that rising deaths were the cause for the havan.

“The recent mortality rates are not higher than before. The hospital is a tertiary-care hospital and critical cases are referred here in late stages of illness. Since we don’t turn anyone away, there are bound to be some deaths,’’ N Narasimha Rao, deputy superintendent of the hospital, told mediapersons.

Following an outcry against the havan, the hospital has started an inquiry into the incident. All doctors and staff have been directed not to hold such rituals in the future. “We never encourage this kind of thing,” said Rao, adding that action will be taken after the probe report is filed.

Those who participated in the havan claimed the government did not sponsor the ritual to avoid untimely death, and the money was collected through voluntary donations from the staff.

Dr Hari Anupama, head of department of obstetrics and gynaecology, also clarified that the puja was not governmentsponsored. “Some nurses, Class IV employees, a few patients and I participated. We collected the money through voluntary donation. It happened outside in the corridor, not in the ward,” said Dr Anupama.

On an average, the hospital sees 25-30 deliveries a day. However, the recent introduction of the maternity benefits scheme, which offers special kits to expectant mothers that include cash and items required for a newborn, has led to hospital deliveries doubling over the past few weeks.