The news of a pregnant woman delivering her baby at the entrance gate of a state-run hospital in Tripura's capital Agartala has left many in shock. The woman revealed to have tested positive for the novel coronavirus was in extreme labour for several hours and was left unattended. She delivered the baby as she was waiting for an ambulance to transfer her to a COVID-19 hospital. 

The hospital attendants had arrived to help the woman only after she had given birth to her child. She was taken along with her baby inside the state-run IGM hospital by a doctor upon coming to examine her. Later, the two were shifted to the GBP Hospital, which is a dedicated COVID-19 facility. 

Addressing the hold up, BJP MLA and Chairman of the patient welfare committee of the IGM hospital, Dr Dilip Kumar Das said, the incident had occurred due to a delay in shifting the patient to a COVID-19 hospital. He, however, stated that the health of both the mother and the child are currently stable and are being looked after at the COVID hospital. 

Speaking to the media, Dr Dilip Das said, "After the patient tested positive, she had to be shifted to COVID-19 hospital as per protocol, it was informed to the family members. There was a delay in the arrival of the ambulance. Now, the woman has delivered the baby and both mother and child are stable,". 

According to reports, the authorities at the IGM hospital had told the woman’s family to get her shifted to the GBP hospital. The family for the next hour were waiting at the hospital's ground floor for an ambulance to arrive and take her to the COVID-19 facility. They are said to have even requested the IGM hospital authorities to admit the woman as she was experiencing tremendous labour pain, but the security guard at the medical facility is said to have not allowed them inside. As they were kept waiting, the woman delivered the baby at the entrance of the hospital. 

Tripura has registered 8,371 COVID-19 cases to date, with 70 people succumbing to the disease, while 6,061 persons were discharged upon making a recovery after treatment in hospitals.