Raichur: A video has gone viral on social media, where a doctor is seen delivering a baby using only a torch light, at a PHC in Hatti gold mine town, Lingasugur taluk, Raichuru district. In many hospitals, including Lingasugur, the electricity is provided for free by a solar company through solar units.However, the solar units have been out of order for months. Two days ago, a pregnant lady arrived at the hospital with labour pains, at night. The doctor and nurse prepared to deliver the baby using a torch, due to a power outage.When questioned, taluk health officer Dr Amaresh stated that they had already repeatedly filed complaints of a defunct solar unit, to the company, but the unit was not repaired. He added, “The solar was installed free of cost, but it’s expensive when we go to repair it, so in emergency situations, health centre staff may have used a torch.”The pregnant woman was transferred to Lingasugur taluk hospital. Although there is an inverter, it was not working due to the solar connection. According to a hospital staff member who did not want to reveal his name, the solar company had stated that the unit was repaired on Thursday. Residents from 15 to 20 villages receive appropriate treatment, but negligence by the medical officer at Hatti PHC has been reported. Relatives of patients have alleged that patients’ lives are at risk, as they are being treated in the dark.
