Sambalpur: 23 Babies Born at SN Rotary Childcare Hospital Denied Birth Certificates; Parents to Seek Legal Action

23 Babies Born Without Birth Certificates

Sambalpur: A major issue has emerged at SN Rotary Childcare Hospital in Bhatra, Sambalpur, where 23 babies born via surgery have not received birth certificates. The hospital is not officially registered, so the Sambalpur Municipal Corporation (SMC) is unable to provide birth certificates for these newborns.

Why Are Birth Certificates Important?

Birth certificates are necessary for school admission, jobs, healthcare, and Aadhaar cards. Without them, these children may face serious difficulties in the future.

Parents Struggle for Certificates

A local resident, Rashmita Sahu, gave birth to a baby girl at the hospital on September 14, 2022. She and her husband, Rajkumar Sahu, spent Rs. 30,000 on medical expenses for a cesarean delivery. Ten days after discharge, Rajkumar applied for a birth certificate at SMC. However, officials refused because the hospital was unregistered.

Authorities Give False Promises

Desperate for a solution, the couple approached former MLA Dr. Raseshwari Panigrahi and Rotary Club’s Ashok Singh. They assured them that they would receive the certificate within a few months. Ashok Singh even gave them a lawyer’s contact information. However, despite countless efforts, they have still not received the birth certificate.

Legal Action Might Be the Only Solution

Now, as their daughter approaches 2.5 years old, the couple worries about enrolling her in a play school or kindergarten. With no other option left, they are preparing to take legal action to obtain the birth certificate.

More Parents Face the Same Issue

Between May 22, 2022, and December 12, 2022, 23 children were born at the hospital, but none received birth certificates. Dr. Mahendra Nanda, an SMC health officer, stated that the hospital had operated under three different names, yet none were officially registered. Shockingly, all the babies were delivered through surgery, raising further concerns.

Why Was an Unregistered Hospital Performing Surgeries?

In Odisha, hospitals must register through the state government’s Birth and Death Registration portal. Once registered, they receive a unique number, allowing them to issue birth certificates. Despite multiple reminders, Ashok Singh and the hospital failed to apply for registration. As a result, children born there remain without legal documentation.

Government Regulations and the Bigger Problem

According to regulations, government hospitals must conduct all deliveries, but private hospitals can also do so if properly registered. Even home births are eligible for birth certificates. However, babies born in unregistered hospitals through surgery cannot get birth certificates, creating a serious legal and social problem.

This issue highlights the urgent need for stricter enforcement of hospital registration laws to ensure that no child is denied their legal identity.