In the midst of our battle against coronavirus, a heart-wrenching case that surfaced from Gaya in Bihar. A woman admitted to a coronavirus isolation ward at medical college was allegedly sexually assaulted by a healthcare worker for two days.
The details the matter came to light on Tuesday.
As per Indiatimes, the woman was in the isolation ward at Anugrah Narain Magadh Medical College and Hospital (ANMMCH). The family members accused a healthcare worker of sexually assaulting the woman for two successive nights on April 2 and April 3.
While sharing the details, the report by Deccan Herald captured,
“The 25-year-old victim had returned to Bihar’s Gaya district from Ludhiana (in Punjab) along with her husband on March 25. Before returning to her in-laws’ place, she had undergone abortion at Ludhiana just when she was two months pregnant.”
After reaching Gaya, the woman was struggling with excessive bleeding. It was then her husband admitted her to Anugrah Narain Magadh Medical College on March 27 where she was admitted to the emergency ward.
But when doctors suspected that she could be coronavirus positive, she was kept in an isolation ward. Later, her family members alleged that a doctor, who was attending her in the isolation ward, outraged her modesty for two successive nights.
While speaking with Deccan Herald, the mother-in-law mentioned:
“The following day, she was discharged from the hospital after her coronavirus test report was found to be negative. However, after returning home, she remained aloof and struck by fear. On questioning, she revealed how a doctor had sexually abused her in the isolation ward.”
She passed away on April 6. She died of excessive bleeding at home after being discharged from the hospital.
The police have initiated the investigation, and they asked the mother-in-law to come to the hospital to identify the doctor. However, the accused was not identified.
While speaking with the media, Dr. VK Prasad, the hospital superintendent said that prima facie this is a serious matter. He said the CCTV footage will be dug out and strict action will be taken against the culprit. In the meantime, the National Commission of Women (NCW) has taken cognizance of the matter.
While we pray for this woman’s soul rest in peace, we at IFORHER hope authorities will leave no stone unturned in getting her justice.
Meanwhile, there is no doubt how nation-wide lockdown and coronavirus battle has impacted women in the worst way possible. With a rampant increase in domestic violence and abuse complaints, once again our country has failed its women.
