The need for 12-digit unique Aadhaar number for babies born is pasted across the largest maternity hospital in... Read More

BHOPAL: Without an Aadhaar registration , new-borns in Bhopal’s Sultania hospital are being refused discharge. In no uncertain terms, a dictate by hospital administration , instructs hospital staff, ward in-charge and security guards, not to allow new-borns to leave hospital premises unless registration unique ID is produced.

The need for 12-digit unique Aadhaar number for babies born is pasted across the largest maternity hospital in Madhya Pradesh. “These instructions were put out at the time of my predecessor. I will look at the actual directive from district administration and then comment on the matter,” said Sultania Zanana hospital superintendent, Dr Ashok Sharma . He took over charge late last year.

The notice for former hospital superintendent is an extension of district administration order of April 2017. Pushing for enrolling newborns for Aadhaar cards in hospitals, hospital superintendent instructed ‘no-exit for new-borns or release of birth certificate’ - before the babies are discharged post-delivery.

Officially district administration and hospital officials maintained that Aadhaar for new-born is optional. However, room number 2 in the main administration block reveals the reality. A computer operator and hospital official sitting in the room confirmed, “The orders are clear, without Aadhaar of new-born discharge slip will not be provided.”

The largest maternity hospital in Madhya Pradesh, has anywhere between 50 to 70 delivery per day, leading to long queues and inconvenience for hundreds. “My wife had a caesarean operation. How does the hospital expect a patient to stand in queue and get an Aadhaar card made for newborn,” said Narendra Thakur.

Since April 2017, a Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has started the project has provided a setup within the hospital. A security booth has been converted into Aadhaar centre next to the maternity ward. Spitting into a spittoon and utilising four chairs for his convenience in the booth, a computer operator takes his time to create Aadhaar for new-born. Over 7,000 have had to go through the same process.

