Uttar Pradesh deputy state chief and Health Minister Brajesh Pathak has ordered an investigation after a baby born near the Raj Bhavan, the official residence of the governor of the state, died in Lucknow on Sunday.
According to media reports, the newborn baby was taken to Veerangana Jhalkari Bai Women and Child Hospital where he was declared dead.
“Earlier in the day, she [the pregnant mother] had gone to the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee (Civil) Hospital in Lucknow after experiencing pain and was administered an injection. She went home but did not get any relief,” a doctor explained.
While talking to the media, Pathak added that, “The woman delivered the baby near gate number 13 of the Raj Bhavan but the baby died in the hospital.”
“The woman was four-and-a-half months pregnant. She was suffering from pain and gave birth to a premature baby on a rickshaw. We are providing all medical help. We have ordered an inquiry into the issue of ambulance not coming on time,” he further added.
A video of the baby's mother being covered with sarees has since gone viral on social media and triggered sharp reactions from opposition in the state.
In a tweet in Hindi, the opposition Samajwadi Party from its official X (formerly known as Twitter) account said: “Health system in Yogi government’s regime has collapsed. When an ambulance was not available to go to the hospital, a pregnant woman gave birth to a child who died at the gate of Raj Bhavan in Lucknow. The failure of the BJP government and the health department was exposed outside the Governor's house. This incompetent government is responsible for the death of children, the victim should get justice!”
In May, a woman delivered a baby on the road in Aligarh city of Uttar Pradesh after she was not admitted to a community health center. As per media reports, she was denied admission as she couldn't pay a bribe.