Newborn’s arm severed during delivery at Nuh hospital

The Haryana Human Rights Commission has taken a suo motu cognisance of a horrific and inhumane incident at the Civil Hospital, Mandikhera (Nuh district), where a newborn’s arm was severed from the body during delivery, allegedly due to gross medical negligence.

Sarjeena, wife of Shakeel, was admitted to the hospital for delivery. During childbirth, due to the alleged callous conduct of the attending medical staff, the newborn’s limb was completely detached. When the family questioned the medical team, they were reportedly abused and thrown out of the ward. The baby was referred to another hospital.

The Full Bench of the commission, comprising Chairperson Justice Lalit Batra and members Kuldip Jain and Deep Bhatia, said the incident constituted a grave violation of the right to life and health guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution, and condemned the apparent failure of medical protocols at a public healthcare institution. It also noted that the incident represented a direct breach of Articles 6 and 19 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Justice Batra remarked that the irreversible and brutal injury to a newborn at the very beginning of life was a shocking example of medical negligence and raised serious questions on the state of public health services in the region. The alleged misconduct by the hospital staff further intensified rights violations, he said.

The commission has directed the Civil Surgeon, Nuh, to submit a factual medical report within 15 days, and the CMO has been asked to explain the circumstances and the names/designations of the doctors and nursing staff involved; steps taken for the treatment and rehabilitation of the child; details of any departmental or internal inquiry initiated; and explanation regarding the "misconduct" with the victim’s family.

Puneet Arora, Protocol, Information & Public Relations Officer, informed that the order of the Bench had been communicated to the Additional Chief Secretary, Health & Family Welfare, Medical Education & Research and Ayush, Haryana; Director General Health Services, Haryana, Panchkula; and Civil Surgeon, Nuh, for compliance. The next date of hearing has been fixed for August 26.