Docs booked for woman’s death after childbirth
NOIDA: Five staff of a private hospital, including doctors, in Noida were booked for alleged negligence following court orders over the death of a woman in April 2020 who had been admitted there for delivery.
The woman, Surabhi Ginodia (32), gave birth to a baby girl at Cloudnine Hospital in Sector 51 on April 24 around 2pm. According to her husband, Aditya Ginodia, the hospital allegedly dealt with his wife in a negligent manner from the very beginning.
“First, they didn’t have an ambulance available when my wife went into distress on April 24 morning. Then, the doctor arrived four hours late. Her epidural was also not administered on time, keeping her in undue pain. They used unethical medical practices but she delivered a girl child at 2.04pm. However, she suffered a cardiovascular collapse due to heavy bleeding which was not controlled by the doctors. They didn’t even inform me till the evening about what was happening and then I was told that my wife was being shifted to another private hospital in Vaishali, where she was declared dead at 7.20pm,” alleged Aditya, a resident of Sector 39.
He said that his wife had received constant check-ups during the pregnancy and was healthy but the hospital alleged mishandled the case and refused to share any developments with the family. He alleged that they approached Noida police in July to register their complaint but were denied time and again, and had to then approach the court.
On January 30 this year, the district court directed the Sector 39 police to register a case, following which four doctors and a management staff member was booked for causing death by negligence (Section 304A of the Indian Penal Code).
“Following several complaints with various agencies, a medical committee was also formed to look into the issue. However, their reports also remained inconclusive and further examination of the matter was suggested. We have been running from pillar to post to get justice for my wife. Action needs to be taken against those liable for negligence in her medical care,” alleged the complainant.
The hospital has denied the allegations and claimed that the deceased was diagnosed with Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) on-site, a rare-yet-life threatening condition with a very high mortality rate. “Attendant present with the patient was counselled about this condition and the hospital, in consultation with the most experienced doctors, delivered the best medical care to the patient but could not change the outcome. The autopsy would have also confirmed Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE). There was no deficiency in service on the hospital team’s part,” said a hospital spokesperson.
Police said a probe in the matter is underway.
“We will collect all technical evidence in accordance with medical negligence cases and due action will be taken accordingly,” said Kumar Ranvijay Singh, additional deputy commissioner of police, Zone 1.
The Uttar Pradesh government has been providing ‘desi ghee’ and powder milk to extremely malnourished children up to five years of age along with pregnant women and lactating mothers from December 2020. The beneficiaries registered with Anganvadi Centres will be given a fixed amount of ‘desi ghee’ and powder milk every three months, besides monthly dry ration under the nutrition mission of the Integrated
Child Development Scheme (ICDS), said a senior officer of the Women and Child Welfare Department.
The scheme has been launched with an aim to improve the beneficiaries’ nutrition, health and education and also for their physical and mental development. According to an official, “Extremely malnourished children up to five years of age will be provided 900 grams ‘desi ghee’ and 750 grams of powder milk every three months. These children will also be given 1.5 kg of rice and 2.5 kg of wheat every month.” Whereas, lactating mothers, pregnant women and non-school going girls (11-14) will be given 450 grams ‘desi ghee’ and 750 grams powder milk every three months. Dry ration, including 1kg rice, 2kg wheat and 750 grams daal will also be given to them every month, he added.
A survey was carried out in Varanasi to identify pregnant women and lactating mothers as the department already has data of extremely malnourished children. The survey identified 30,000 women, including needy pregnant and lactating mothers. All these women were registered with anganvadi centres so that they could get the ‘desi ghee’ and powder milk free of cost under the nutrition mission, the officer added.
In November 2020, there were 3,118 extremely malnourished children in the district. The District programme officer says, “The mission to provide the food stuff to the beneficiaries is aimed at improving their health and to ensure proper mental and physical development of the children.”