Panel to probe ‘medical negligence’ death in Hills

Deep Gazmer | Sep 5, 2014, DARJEELING: Authorities of the Darjeeling district hospital have decided to form a committee to probe into the death of a woman following the birth of her child. The family members of the deceased had lodged a complaint with the chief medical officer of health (CMOH) against a doctor and the nurses on duty.

Pesoke tea estate resident Sumita Rai (29) was admitted to the district hospital on August 30 with labour pain. However, on the night of September 1, she complained of extreme pain and went into labour. Her family members alleged that nurses on duty refused to attend to her saying it was normal in such circumstances.

According to Sangita Tamang, the woman's sister-in-law who was attending to her since her admission, it took a call from the doctor for nurses to get into action. On September 2, at around 7.25 in the morning, Sumita gave birth to a baby girl but half an hour later she was declared dead by the nurses. The baby girl, though, is in a good condition and is with her father and relatives.

The sister-in-law alleged that it was the callousness of the nurses on duty and negligence of the doctor that caused the death of Sumita. "Sumita complained of extreme labour pain on the evening of September 1. I immediately went to the nurse's cabin but was told that there was still time for delivery. But, looking at my sister-in-law's extreme condition, I again went to the nurses room but found the door locked from inside," alleged Tamang.

This forced the sister-in-law to call her relatives to ask them to speak to the doctor who was treating the patient. "It was past midnight that the nurses looked at my sister-in-law after one of my relatives called the doctor. By then, I had already taken my sister-in-law to the labour room," said Tamang.

"At around 7 am the next morning, Sumita was taken into the labour and finally the delivery was completed. But, half an hour later the nurses said that she had died," Tamang added.

Asit Kumar Biswas, the CMOH, confirmed receiving a complaint on Thursday against the doctor and nurses and said a probe panel would be formed to investigate the incident. "The husband of the woman today submitted a complaint alleging negligence of treatment and misconduct by the nurses on duty. I have asked the hospital superintendent to submit a report by Friday morning following which we will form a three-member committee to probe into the allegation," he said.

The CMOH said the District Maternity Child Health Officer (DMCHO) will head the committee that will lay stress on three counts — what happened exactly, whether there was negligence and who was responsible and finally, how best to avert such incidents in future. "We will take strict action based on the findings of the probe panel," said Biswas.

According to the CMOH, remedial measures could include show-cause notice to the doctor and nurses and even transfer. Samir Sharma, the doctor treating Sumita, when contacted refused to comment. The nurses who were on duty that day also could not be contacted for their comments.