NHRC directs Rajasthan government to compensate woman

New Delhi: The NHRC Wednesday asked the Rajasthan government to compensate a woman who delivered a baby by the roadside after a state government health centre refused to admit her.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has asked the government, through its chief secretary, to pay monetary relief of Rs.50,000 to the woman, a resident of Bhilwara district. Taking cognizance of the incident, the commission asked the government to send a compliance report along with proof of payment within six weeks. "The woman was taken to the residence of a male doctor of the government health centre Aug 3, 2011, who referred her to the health centre. However, the staff there refused to admit her," said the commission. "While the woman was being taken to the residence of a female doctor of the centre, she delivered the baby by the roadside," it added. Disciplinary action was initiated against a male nursing staff while the male doctor was transferred.