Woman, newborn die after delivery at re-sealed Ballia hospital

A woman and her newborn have died following treatment at a private hospital in Ballia district that had been sealed by the administration and the health department last year, officials said.

The facility, Indrajeet Hospital in Ratanpura, had a lock on its main entrance, but was allegedly being run through a passage at the back. After the incident came to light, the health department, working with the sub-divisional magistrate, sealed the hospital once more.

Ajit Rajbhar, a resident of Targouli village, has complained to the chief medical officer that his pregnant wife, Sarita, was treated at the hospital on September 8. In his complaint, he said an ASHA worker had advised him to take her there, and that a doctor, Himanshu Yadav, told the family her condition was serious and recommended an operation.

According to the complaint, the newborn died after the delivery while Sarita continued to bleed. When hospital staff allegedly declined to treat her further, Rajbhar took her to a private hospital in Mau, from where she was referred to Varanasi. Doctors at a private hospital there declared her dead.

Chief Medical Officer Pankaj Rai said the hospital had been sealed in 2025 on the instructions of the district magistrate. He said the main lock was found intact, but the premises were being operated by opening a passage from the rear.

A complaint has been lodged against the hospital operator and steps are being taken to register an FIR, the CMO said. The administration is also examining how treatment was allegedly being carried out at a facility that had been sealed.