Hapur, Uttar Pradesh: The health department in Hapur has dismissed 17 Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers after an internal inquiry found they allegedly diverted pregnant women away from government hospitals and into private facilities in return for commission. Officials confirmed the action was taken on January 22, 2026, following complaints and a detailed review of delivery records.
The case surfaced after authorities noticed a major red flag. In the nine-month period between April and December 2025, the 17 ASHA workers reportedly did not facilitate even a single delivery at government hospitals in their assigned areas. The unusual gap prompted the department to investigate whether women were being pushed into private hospitals instead of receiving institutional delivery support through public health services.
Dr Sunil Tyagi, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Hapur, said to TOI, the department acted after confirming irregularities in official records. He added that the matter initially involved complaints against 102 ASHA workers, but the inquiry found direct evidence against 17, leading to their termination. Action against the remaining 85 workers is expected to follow after officials complete verification and assess the available evidence.
The dismissed workers allegedly misled expectant mothers and their families by exaggerating risks and creating fear during the final stages of pregnancy. Investigators believe the workers repeatedly discouraged women from going to government hospitals, claiming that the facilities were inadequate or unsafe, and then directed them to private hospitals.
Officials suspect that private hospitals may have encouraged this practice by offering far higher payouts than the government incentive system. Under government norms, ASHA workers receive Rs 600 for facilitating a delivery at a public hospital. However, the inquiry suggests that private hospitals offered commissions ranging between Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000 per patient referral, making private diversions financially tempting.
The department also observed that private ambulances were frequently seen stationed near government health facilities, raising concerns that referrals may have been planned and coordinated rather than accidental.
Some patients have alleged they were pressured into costly private deliveries despite being eligible for government-supported care. As reported by TOI one complaint came from a 28-year-old laborer from Hapur, who said an ASHA worker insisted his wife needed urgent private treatment and warned that both mother and child could be at risk if they stayed in the government system.
He said the ASHA worker claimed the baby’s umbilical cord was wrapped around the neck and that the government hospital could not manage the situation. The family reportedly spent around Rs 50,000 at a private hospital, only to later feel that the medical scare had been overstated after the delivery was completed normally.
(Rh/ARC)