A prominent government hospital in the national capital allegedly refused to admit a pregnant woman in labour, citing unavailability of water.

The administration of the government hospital, which turned away the pregnant woman, could not be reached despite repeated attempts.

According to her family, the woman, a resident of Burari of northeast Delhi, started having labour pain early in the morning, following which she was rushed to the hospital.

"We reached at around 6.30 AM yesterday but the staff at that government hospital refused to admit her saying there was no water. As her condition deteriorated, we rushed her to the nearest Sushruta Trauma Centre where the doctors delivered the child. They then referred us to Lok Nayak Hospital as they did not have appropriate gynaecology specialties," the woman's brother-in-law said.

According to a senior MCD health official, there was shortage of water in areas of north MCD under which the hospital falls, and therefore, the hospital administration had been asked to arrange water through Delhi Jal Board tanker.

"The water tanker did not come yesterday because of which the problem happened. We have issued strict directive to the hospitals that they should store water supplied by DJB tankers. Refusing admission on this ground is not at all justified," the official said.

Meanwhile, on being contacted, medical superintendent at Lok Nayak hospital, Dr Yogesh Kumar Sarin, said both the mother and child were doing well.