Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Minister for Health and Safety Nisha Mehta has said the government has taken the Gajendra Narayan Singh Hospital incident seriously.
Thirty-one-year-old Babita Kumari Paswan, who had arrived at the hospital after going into labor, was reportedly denied treatment as she did not have sufficient money. After some time, she gave birth outside the hospital gate. CCTV footage purportedly showing the woman giving birth has gone viral on social media.
Lawmakers had raised questions during a House of Representatives meeting on Thursday about the incident.
Following the incident, the ministry had sought a 24-hour explanation from the hospital.
Minister Mehta said the ministry had formed a five-member ethics committee, led by Nepal Medical Council Registrar Dr Suparbha Shrestha, to investigate the incident. She said the employees who were on duty at the time of the incident had been immediately removed from their duties and an investigation had begun.
Minister Mehta said the government has given high priority to safe motherhood and health services for mothers and newborns. “We are committed to ensuring that no pregnant woman is forced to risk her life by giving birth at home,” she said.
Informing that childbirth services at government health facilities are free and that the government also provides transportation expenses, Minister Mehta said that demanding any fee or refusing to provide services is against the law.
She expressed commitment to take action against anyone involved in such acts.
