For centuries women have been constantly told to ‘bear the pain’.  

But not anymore. 

Experiences of pregnant women at government hospitals is reflective of this very pain. The pain of not being able to meet a doctor, having to wait hours for a 5 minute appointment, not being able to afford going to a private hospital. 

My best friend in her 9 months of pregnancy also had to go through the same. She too would have to make innumerable trips to Delhi’s government hospitals, wait patiently in line, hour after hour, for her check up. She would be faint with fatigue and hunger, with legs swollen and no place to sit. Hours would go by and she would experience waves of pain, biting back the screams of agony that wracked her body. 

When the delivery date neared, she was told to go to a bigger hospital. She reached Safdarjung hospital only to realise that the waiting list was so long, that she would have to wait 3 days for their turn to come!  

Going to a private hospital was not an option, her family just could not afford it. When her pain turned unbearable, her family took her to a private nursing home. My friend delivered, but unfortunately the baby was stillborn. I am often moved to tears thinking about all that my friend  had to go through. 

This is not just my friend’s story, but is the painful harrowing experience of thousands of women who have had to suffer at the hands of an inefficient healthcare system. I have started this petition so that no woman has to go through what my friend had to. Join me and sign my petition. 

Government hospitals, the only option for women from marginalised communities, severely lack maternal healthcare facilities. Gynaecologists in government hospitals are few in number, and women often have to wait hours in line just to meet the doctor. Nurses overwhelmed with work themselves almost always respond with indifference. One can often find three women forced to share a single bed in the maternity ward. 

The Delhi government recently announced the opening of 100 Mahila Mohalla Clinics in Delhi. In light of this I appeal to the Delhi government to also set up Mother and Child care centres in each ward that is equipped with a gynaecologist and all the facilities for institutional childbirth, prenatal and postnatal care so that women from marginalised communities too can have easily access to maternal and child healthcare. 

The establishment of Mother and Child centres across the city is the need of the hour. If women have easy access to healthcare at their nearby Mother and Child centre, they won’t have to spend the 9 months in stress and agony. They would be able to receive the right care at the right time to ensure good health for themselves and their children. 

Sign this petition now so that Delhi becomes better and safer for its women and children.