Tribal woman forced to seek private care after denial at Dahanu government hospital

A pregnant tribal woman was allegedly refused admission for delivery at Dahanu Sub-District Hospital in Palghar district, Maharashtra , in the early hours of Sunday, forcing her to seek help at multiple healthcare facilities before finally being admitted to a private hospital.

According to Shobha Machhi , an anganwadi worker from Vadkun village who accompanied the woman, they first approached Dahanu Cottage Hospital for delivery. However, hospital staff reportedly declined to admit her, saying that a normal delivery might not be possible in her case. Machhi said the staff asked them to go to another hospital and informed them that it could take nearly three hours for an ambulance to arrive.

With no immediate support available, Machhi took the woman to two nearby private hospitals. However, she said doctors were not available at either facility at that time. After several attempts and a delay of about three hours , the woman was eventually admitted to Shraddha Hospital in the area.

Machhi raised concerns over the situation, questioning how families from tribal communities could afford treatment at private hospitals when government facilities failed to provide timely care .

Palghar district surgeon Dr Ramdas Marad said the administration has sought a report from the hospital superintendent regarding the incident. Preliminary information suggests that a contractual gynaecologist was not available at the time. “We have asked for an explanation from the concerned doctor for not responding to the call. Action will be taken after the inquiry ,” Marad said.

The episode has once again drawn attention to gaps in healthcare services in Palghar , a tribal-dominated district located barely 100 kilometres from Mumbai , the country’s financial capital. Ironically, the incident occurred on International Women’s Day .

BJP Mahila Morcha president Chitra Wagh said she has collected details of the case from the district civil surgeon and will raise the issue with the state health minister . Meanwhile, Shramjeevi Sanghatana vice-president Jitu Patil and social activists Jayesh Patil and Narendra Sutari have demanded action against those responsible.