Jharkhand: Newborn dies after C-section at private hospital in Palamu, facility sealed
Daltonganj, June 27: A private hospital in Jharkhand’s Palamu district has been sealed after a newborn boy died following a Caesarean section…
Daltonganj, June 27: A private hospital in Jharkhand’s Palamu district has been sealed after a newborn boy died following a Caesarean section (C-section) delivery, with health authorities alleging serious procedural lapses and discrepancies in medical records.
The incident occurred on the night of June 25 at New Aashirwad Hospital and Nursing Home on Dhela Road in Lesliganj, a facility registered under the Clinical Establishments Act.
Father alleges he was asked to pay Rs 27,000 for delivery
According to a written complaint submitted on June 26 by the infant’s father, Sanjeet Ram, the family was asked to pay Rs 27,000 for his wife Priya Kumari’s delivery.
Ram alleged that a Swasthya Sahiya, identified as Anuj Devi, persuaded the family to shift Priya Kumari, 23, from Medinirai Medical College and Hospital (MMCH), Daltonganj, where she had already been receiving treatment, to the private hospital, assuring them of better care.
In his complaint, Ram stated that he paid Rs 9,000 to Vikash Kumar Kushwaha, the owner of New Aashirwad Hospital.
“The operation took place on June 25 at 7 pm,” Ram wrote.
According to the complaint, the family was later informed that the newborn had oxygen deficiency and was advised to take the baby to another private hospital in Daltonganj. The infant was declared dead there.
The written complaint has been accessed by this correspondent.
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Hospital sealed, records not produced: Civil Surgeon
Civil Surgeon Dr Anil Kumar Srivastava said the district administration sealed the hospital on June 26.
“The hospital holds a provisional registration certificate under the Clinical Establishments Act, valid until September 22, 2026, to provide allopathic medical services,” he said.
Dr Srivastava said the hospital management claimed that the C-section had been performed by a doctor identified as Dr Janamjay, but the investigation has so far failed to establish the identity of any such registered medical practitioner.
“It was stated that the surgery was conducted by Dr Janamjay. However, this name appears to be fake or fictitious. We could not find any doctor by that name,” the Civil Surgeon said.
He added that the registered surgeon mentioned in the hospital’s records is Dr Abhijeet Anand, but the hospital claimed he had not performed the operation.
According to Dr Srivastava, the hospital owner also failed to produce several mandatory medical documents, including the patient’s consent form for the C-section, the anaesthetist’s notes, and the Bed Head Ticket (BHT) register.
Hospital owner cites delayed pregnancy
Hospital owner Vikash Kumar Kushwaha maintained that the woman had a post-term pregnancy.
According to him, Priya Kumari’s expected date of delivery was June 8, but she reported to the hospital only on June 25.
Hospital has history of cancellation
The Civil Surgeon said the hospital has a history of regulatory action.
According to him, an earlier facility operating as Aashirwad Hospital and Nursing Home had its registration cancelled and was sealed in June 2025 due to deficiencies in services.
In September 2025, the establishment applied for fresh registration under the name New Aashirwad Hospital and Nursing Home, which was subsequently granted after fulfilling the prescribed registration criteria.
“The earlier registration was cancelled because of deficiencies in services, not because of any death,” Dr Srivastava clarified.
Medical sources said cancellation of a hospital’s registration does not automatically bar it from applying for fresh registration after complying with the applicable rules.
Police awaiting complaint for further action
Lesliganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Uttam Kumar Rai said the infant’s father had recorded his statement at the MMCH police outpost.
“The statement will be forwarded to Lesliganj police station, following which we will examine the matter and decide the further course of action,” Rai said.
Police confirmed that a post-mortem examination of the infant was conducted at MMCH, Daltonganj.
Sources said action in alleged cases of medical negligence is governed by established legal procedures, including Supreme Court guidelines regarding criminal prosecution of medical professionals. Any investigation will determine individual responsibility based on the evidence collected.
