Woman dies during delivery,family alleges negligence

Preetisha was registered with Wadia Hospital for her delivery and was transferred to Kasturba Hospital for treatment of jaundice on March 13. “Wadia Hospital refused to treat her as they didn’t have facility to treat jaundice patients. Kasturba Hospital did not have any emergency facilities. Gynaecologists had to be called from Nair Hospital,” said Chauhan. After admission to Kasturba Hospital,she was also tested positive for Hepatitis E (HEV) and doctors fromNair Hospital visited Preetisha due to unavailability of gynaecologists. “Even though she knew that my wife was suffering from jaundice,the visiting gynecologist did not pay special attention to her. The doctors assured us that she will have a normal delivery,” Chauhan said. However,Kasturba Hospital sources said they tried to transfer her twice but the gynaecologist refused. “Twice we filled forms to transfer her to Nair Hospital but the gynaecologist who came to the hospital around 9:30 pm assured that she will deliver normally,” said a source.

“Even late on Tuesday night when Preetisha went into labour,doctors assured us of normal delivery despite excessive bleeding. For two hours till 12:30 am,doctors waited till her condition worsened. Her blood pressure was low and she couldn’t push the baby out. Later when things went out of control,doctors decided to transfer her to Nair Hospital ICU,” he added.

“By the time she was referred to Nair ICU her heart beat and pulse rate were low. The baby died in the womb itself,” said Dr M Shah,deputy dean,Nair Hospital. “As per WHO data,about 40 per cent of pregnant women die of jaundice,” he added.

Preetisha died around 1:30 am. “It was a case of high risk pregnancy with Hepatitis-E and jaundice,” said Dr Umesh Aigal,medical superintendent,Kasturba Hospital. Asked about the lack of facility,Dr Aigal said,“The patient required tertiary care facility hence referred to Nair Hospital.”