Manipur: A 20-Year-Old Pregnant Woman Dies, Five Hospitals Denied Her Admission

In a shocking incident, in Manipur a 20-year-old woman, Kanpatliu Kamei, who was allegedly denied admission by five hospitals in Imphal, died of pregnancy-related complications on Thursday. The pregnant woman was reportedly refused medical services at two government-run institutes among others, her family members alleged. According to the family members, there were no doctors available due to the critical situation amid COVID-19.

Kanpatliu Kamei (20) and husband Roshan Balang (25) belong to Puichi village under Noney district of Manipur. They reportedly came rushing to Senapati district hospital for the delivery at around 2 pm on August 5. Due to the denial of medical services she was referred to a different hospital in Imphal around 10.30 pm on Wednesday night. Her mother, another relative and her husband were there with her the whole time. Soon they reached Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS), a government-run hospital in Imphal East district around 12.30 am but again denied admission. Thereafter, Kanpatliu was reportedly taken to Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), another government hospital in Imphal West district, followed by three more private hospitals till it was around 4 am the next morning.

Finally, when the family found a private hospital which agreed on giving her admission, the woman reportedly died at the entrance of the building, Hindustan Times reported. Kanpatliu and her unborn child passed away early Thursday morning, after spending over 12 hours in a hired vehicle. She tested negative for COVID-19.

What You Should Know

• The family of a deceased pregnant woman, Kanpatliu Kamei, alleged she was denied treatment at both government-run, and private, hospitals in Imphal, Manipur.
• Kanpatliu Kamei, 20, and her unborn child passed on early Thursday morning due to pregnancy-related complications. 
• “All government and private hospitals should attend to all patients," the Chief Minister of Manipur wrote.

Administration responds

"An enquiry committee has been constituted to look into the causes leading to the death of the woman," Health Minister L Jayantakumar Singh said suggesting the Manipur government to order an investigation, NDTV reported.

“Many health care facilities are denying service to patients due to Covid-19 pandemic. Each hospital shall designate responsible staff to ensure there is no denial of service,” said an order issued by the departments Principal Secretary V Vummunlang, Indian Express quoted.

Taking the serious matter to his Facebook page, chief minister N Biren Singh wrote on Thursday, “All government and private hospitals should attend to all patients." He stated that these strict guidelines should be followed otherwise "any violation will be viewed very severely and action will be taken under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and Manipur Nursing Home & Clinical Registration Act, 1992 etc.”

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Also Read: Exercising Helped Me Not To Get Into Postpartum Depression: Sania Mirza Prepares For Tokyo Olympics

Feature Image Credit: MediaNews4U

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