Roopa’s family said she was made to sit on the corridor floor outside the labour ward because the ward was full and no beds were available.
Published Nov 20, 2025 | 3:59 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 20, 2025 | 3:59 PM
Representational image. Credit: iStock
Synopsis: A 30-year-old woman delivered a baby in Haveri district hospital corridor on 18 November after no bed was available. The family alleged that the newborn fell and died due to staff negligence and phone distraction. Meanwhile, the hospital claims stillbirth from pre-eclampsia and denied shortage. Inquiry committee has been formed; Child Rights and Women’s Commissions have taken suo moto action.
30-year-old Roopa Karabannanavar, who hails from Kakol village near Ranebennur, went to Haveri district hospital on 18 November with severe labour pains. But there were no beds available due to overcrowding in the labour ward in the women and children’s wing. While on the way to the restroom, Roopa delivered her baby in a hospital corridor.
Her family alleged that the newborn fell to the floor, suffered a fatal injury in the fall, and died on the spot. They alleged negligence on part of the doctors and nurses in the hospital – an allegation that hospital authorities refuted.
“She was in distress and pain, but none of the hospital staff, including doctors and nurses, cared to look at her. We repeatedly asked them to address her situation, but they were busy on their mobile phones. They could have saved the baby,” a family member told the media.
According to information available on the website of Haveri Institute of Medical Sciences, the district hospital has a capacity of 330 beds which will be increased to 500 — 550 beds in “near short time”.
District Hospital Surgeon Dr PR Havanur told South First that the hospital had “sufficient beds and doctors” and maintained that they “have always provided good service.”
However, an inquiry has been initiated from the hospital’s end, Havanur said.
“A committee has been formed comprising Deputy Commissioner, Women and Child Welfare officer, Child Protection Officer, Gynaecologist, a technical person and District surgeon to probe the incident and necessary legal action will be taken accordingly,” he added. Meanwhile, the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights registered a suo moto case on Wednesday.
Roopa’s family said she was made to sit on the corridor floor outside the labour ward because the ward was full and no beds were available. Despite her worsening contractions and repeated pleas, they claimed, she was not admitted.
They said Roopa suddenly delivered the baby while attempting to go to the restroom. However, due to the unattended delivery, the newborn died after hitting the floor.
The family further alleged that hospital staff remained preoccupied with their mobile phones and failed to respond in time, claiming that their inaction led to the death of the baby.
However, hospital officials have denied allegations of negligence. Havanur said that an obstetrician had examined Roopa upon her arrival. “The woman had high blood pressure, recorded at 160/100, which is pre-eclampsia. That is when she also complained that there was no movement of the baby since the previous night,” he said. She allegedly also complained of vomiting and pain the abdomen.
The District Surgeon claimed that the patient was sent to the labour room where three patients were already inside, and four others were waiting. Additionally, two patients were in active labour.
“The doctor told her to use the washroom and come back. But since the washroom inside the labour room was occupied, she was sent to a different washroom. After she came out, she delivered the baby in the corridor,” said Havanur, adding that the baby was stillborn and had died in the womb.
Rejecting allegations of inadequate beds and staffing, Havanur said that hospital handles 600 deliveries every month, including 200 caesarian deliveries as well. However, sources told South First that the hospital continues to struggle with an insufficient doctor–patient ratio.
Meanwhile, the Karnataka State Commission for Women has also written to the Health and Family Welfare Department, urging them to investigate the incident and take necessary actions against those responsible. “It is reported that the medical staff were negligent in their duty, it is an unforgivable crime, and the State Women’s Commission has strongly condemned this inhuman act,” they said in the letter.
Former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai too condemned the incident, calling it “a clear indication of the Congress government’s irresponsibility.” “The government’s failure to provide essential infrastructure like beds in government hospitals is truly tragic,” he said in a post on X.
ಹಾವೇರಿಯ ಸರ್ಕಾರಿ ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆಯ ಕಾರಿಡಾರ್ ನಲ್ಲಿ ನವಜಾತ ಶಿಶುವೊಂದು ಅಸುನೀಗಿರುವುದು ಅತ್ಯಂತ ಹೃದಯವಿದ್ರಾವಕ ಘಟನೆ.
ಇದು @INCKarnataka ಸರ್ಕಾರದ ಬೇಜವಾಬ್ದಾರಿಯ ಸುಸ್ಪಷ್ಟ ನಿದರ್ಶನ.ಸರ್ಕಾರಿ ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಅಗತ್ಯ ಮೂಲಸೌಕರ್ಯವಾದ ಹಾಸಿಗೆಗಳನ್ನು ಒದಗಿಸುವಲ್ಲಿ ಸಹ ಸರ್ಕಾರ ವಿಫಲವಾಗಿರುವುದು ನಿಜಕ್ಕೂ ದುರಂತ.
ಸರ್ಕಾರದ ಈ… pic.twitter.com/r5aiVhQxJ9
— Basavaraj S Bommai (@BSBommai) November 19, 2025
(Edited by Amit Vasudev)
