National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of a disturbing media report about a pregnant woman who was left unattended for 27 hours at the MGM Hospital, Jamshedpur, resulting in the death of her unborn child. The woman, referred to the hospital by a Community Health Centre for better care, was reportedly forced to lie on the hospital floor due to the unavailability of beds. Despite her severe labour pain, no medical assistance was provided, leading to the tragic loss of her baby the following day.

The NHRC has expressed grave concern over the incident, observing that the media report raises serious questions about the violation of human rights. Additionally, it was reported that another woman, who had given birth, was also being treated on the floor due to a lack of beds, highlighting further lapses in hospital management.

In response to these allegations, the Commission has issued a notice to the Chief Secretary of the Government of Jharkhand, demanding a detailed report within two weeks. The report is expected to address the current health status of the victim woman, the availability of beds, and other medical facilities in government hospitals across the state. Furthermore, the NHRC has requested clarification on whether any compensation has been provided to the aggrieved family.

The NHRC's swift intervention in this case underscores the urgency of addressing systemic failures in public healthcare institutions and ensuring that the basic rights of citizens, particularly vulnerable women in need of medical care, are protected. The Commission’s notice has put pressure on the state government to conduct a thorough investigation and take corrective action.