The Kerala High Court to decide the matter relating to regulation of Childbirth Centres by Midwives after Infant Death
Title: Fathimathu Suhara v. Union of India
Date: 03 November, 2023
+ WP (C) No. 36379 of 2023
CORAM: Hon’ble Justice Mr. Devan Ramachandran
Introduction
The couple filed a plea with the Kerala High Court , alleging that their newborn child died as a result of inadequate care and medical attention from the Cochin Birth Village, a natural birthing center that provides midwifery care. The district police chief (rural) of Ernakulam was also impleaded as an additional respondent.
Facts of the Case
The plea claimed that the hospital was understaffed during the delivery and that it lacked the qualified medical staff and other amenities that were promised. It was said that the infant displayed signs of infant jaundice and had a yellowish skin tone during birth. The Cochin Birth Village staff allegedly ignored these symptoms and did not administer treatment. The petitioners claim that the Cochin Birth Village’s inadequate care and medical attention caused them to lose their kid. The plea claimed that on January 22, 2023, the petitioners and the infant were hastily released from their care, and that the same day the infant died due to a high fever. Allegations surfaced that Cochin Birth Village is a birth centre that presents itself as a healthier and alternative to hospitals for childbirth, employing the midwifery form of care for delivery. The petitioners argued that, discounting other incidental costs, they paid more than eighty-eight thousand rupees for giving birth at Cochin Birth Village.
Courts analysis and decision
The matter is further listed for consideration on 9th November, 2023.
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Written by- Hargunn Kaur Makhija