KIMS staff refuse to touch 20-week foetus, demand bribe

This is the second incident of hospital's apathy this week The woman rendered helpless with no one to help her Suvarna News initiates unique campaign to save poor from bribe-seekers

After hospital staff in Shivamogga's McGann Hospital refused to provide a stretcher to shift an old man to the X Ray centre, staff of KIMS in Hubli allegedly demanded bribe to 'touch' a 20-week foetus from a woman.

The Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) staff in Hubli allegedly demanded Rs 700 from a woman whose daughter had a miscarriage. Already in shock over the plight of her daughter, the woman had to suffer hospital personnel's sheer insensitiveness. They allegedly demanded Rs 700 from her to 'touch' the 20-week foetus. With no money in her hand, the helpless woman took the foetus in a plastic cover and sat outside the ward, hoping for some help. But, even after one hour, none came to help her, reports Suvarna News.

The video of the woman clutching the plastic cover to her chest - that went viral after television channel reported - was heart-rending. When the issue was brought to the notice of Health Minister Ramesh Kumar, he was arrogant enough to say that the issue does not come under his purview.

Moved by her plight, the Suvarna News has initiated a quirky campaign to raise funds to satiate the hunger of bribe-seekers. The campaign was well-received across the state. Sandalwood actor and BJP leader donated Rs 5,000 supporting the campaign. Another actor Prem too has come forward to "bribe" to help the woman.