Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) lawmaker Khagendra Karna has said that the refusal of treatment to a pregnant woman at a government hospital raises serious questions about the healthcare system, the state’s responsibility and service delivery at public hospitals.
Speaking at the meeting of the House of Representatives on Thursday, Karna said it was extremely tragic and inhumane that a pregnant woman should be forced to give birth on the street outside a hospital gate simply because she lacked a few hundred rupees to receive safe delivery services.
“Government hospitals, which are run with taxpayers’ money, should not deprive anyone of medical treatment simply because of their poor financial condition,” Karna said. “If treatment is denied due to financial constraints in maternity services, which are directly linked to the lives of mothers and newborns, the matter becomes even more serious.”
Bavita Paswan, wife of Hareram Paswan of Parsahi Tole in Rajbiraj Municipality-14, had reached Gajendra Narayan Singh Hospital at around 2 a.m. on Tuesday, seeking maternity services.
Citing the Paswan family, Karna said the hospital asked the family to deposit Rs 3,200 to complete the admission process and conduct tests.
“However, since the family only had Rs 2,500 with them at the time, the required tests and admission process could not proceed, and Bavita ultimately had to leave the hospital,” Karna said.
He said Paswan gave birth to her baby on the road outside the hospital gate after she was unable to gain admission.
