KARIMNAGAR: A report published by TNIE on Saturday about a pregnant woman from a nomadic community being denied admission at a government hospital prompted immediate action from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO).
The CMO directed district collector Pamela Satpathy to ensure immediate and appropriate medical care for nine-months pregnant Ubidi Rekha, a resident of Ramakrishna Colony in Thimmapur. Rekha belongs to the Budaga Jangala nomadic community.
Health and ICDS officials shifted Rekha to the Primary Health Centre at Nustlapur in a 108 ambulance. Doctors conducted the required medical tests and confirmed that her condition was normal. Officials said a maintenance register was opened in her name and a fresh health check-up was carried out, as earlier tests had been done without proper identification.
“I am very happy. For the last four months, the hospital staff did not care but after TNIE highlighted my plight, the attention given by officials has surprised me. The officials also told me to contact them any time I needed help,” Rekha said.
Meanwhile, GGH Superintendent Dr G Veera Reddy clarified that treatment or admission was not denied due to lack of Aadhaar at the Mother and Child Health Care Centre in Karimnagar.
Rekha’s Aadhaar application filed
The GGH superintendent said Rekha would be admitted for delivery using her husband’s or parents’ Aadhaar card for identification, adding that similar cases had been handled earlier.
The Women’s Development and Child Welfare department also stepped in to review the welfare benefits due to Rekha. District Welfare Officer M Saraswati said ICDS staff, led by Child Development Project Officer Srilatha, visited her home and provided nutritional support for a month. Officials said Rekha had missed out on several welfare schemes due to the absence of an Aadhaar card. An application submitted at a MeeSeva centre was initially rejected because of an error in the village name on her date of birth certificate. With assistance from Revenue officials, a fresh application has now been filed.
The district welfare officer said a special drive would be conducted in Ramakrishna Colony, where several members of the Budaga Jangala community lack Aadhaar cards, affecting access to welfare schemes and school admissions.