Power Outage Forces Doctors To Perform Pregnant Woman’s Surgery Under Mobile Torchlight At Haryana Hospital

Chandigarh: What should have been a routine emergency delivery turned into a tense battle against time after a sudden power outage at a government hospital in Haryana forced doctors to continue operating on a pregnant woman using the flashlights of mobile phones.

The incident has sparked widespread outrage, with many questioning how a hospital handling critical surgeries could be left without a dependable power backup. While the doctors managed to safely complete the operation and both the mother and newborn are reported to be stable, the episode has exposed serious concerns over emergency preparedness in public healthcare facilities.

According to reports, electricity was cut off while the surgery was in progress. The hospital’s backup power system reportedly failed to restore power immediately, leaving the operation theatre in darkness. With no time to delay the procedure, doctors and nursing staff used mobile phone torches to illuminate the surgical area and successfully complete the delivery.

The incident quickly gained attention after videos and photographs surfaced online, drawing criticism from healthcare professionals, political leaders and members of the public. Many questioned how a government hospital could face such a critical lapse despite operation theatres being required to have uninterrupted electricity and functional backup systems.

In response, the Haryana Health Department has ordered an inquiry into the incident and sought a report from the hospital administration. The department has also instructed government hospitals across the state to inspect generators, inverters and other emergency power systems, particularly in labour rooms, operation theatres and neonatal care units. Officials have been directed to ensure backup systems remain operational at all times and are regularly tested.

The controversy comes against the backdrop of another incident in Haryana earlier this year, when a woman reportedly gave birth in the parking area of a government health centre after allegedly finding its gates locked. That case prompted the Haryana Human Rights Commission to seek an explanation from health authorities and highlighted concerns over maternal healthcare services in the state.

While the latest incident has drawn praise for the doctors who remained focused under extraordinary circumstances, it has also reignited debate over the condition of public hospitals and the urgent need to strengthen basic infrastructure. As the inquiry gets underway, attention is now on whether accountability will follow and whether meaningful steps will be taken to ensure such an incident is never repeated.

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