MHRC issues notice to govt on death of pregnant woman

“In order to ascertain the facts and circumstances leading to the unfortunate incident and to ensure accountability, a committee is hereby constituted to conduct a detailed enquiry,” DC Abhinav Kumar Singh said in his order.

Bareh, who was a pregnant mother, died at the hospital on Wednesday.

The committee will be headed additional deputy commissioner B Blah. The committee has been directed to complete the enquiry and submit its report by June 9.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Director of Health Service (MCH & FW) LE Kharsahnoh said that appropriate disciplinary action will be taken  against concerned personnel if the magisterial inquiry reveals that it was a case of ‘clinical negligence.

“We are deeply saddened by the untimely death of (L) Pynche Bareh. As an FIR has been lodged and a formal investigation by the police and magisterial inquiry is monitored by the Deputy Commissioner, West Jaintia Hills – are on the way, the head of department has submitted all relevant medical reports, duty rosters and case details to the inquiry committee”, she said.

She said that Pynche Bareh of Jalaphet village was referred to MCH hospital, Jowai earlier this week after being admitted at Sutnga CHC.

“She refused to proceed to the referral hospital on that night (June 2). She was admitted on June 3 at 12.45 pm and evaluated by an attending physician. She was found to be clinically stable. She was fully conscious oriented, her BP, pulse and oxygen level were within normal limits. Conservative management was initiated including hydration and medication since she was not in active labour and since there were no immediate danger signs, she was kept under observation,” she said.

The official said on June 4 morning, she was reviewed again by the doctor, who confirmed that there was no immediate need for operative intervention and she was continued on conservative monitoring.

“At around 6.20 pm, she complained of abdominal pain and she was shifted to a high dependency unit for close monitoring and further evaluation but at 7.15 pm, the patient relative requested she be discharged and shifted to another health facility. While the process for discharge was initiated by the doctor on duty and the family was advised to arrange for an ambulance. At around 8 pm, her condition started deteriorating suddenly she became breathless, unconscious and her oxygen level had also come down, her vitals, blood pressure had come down…so emergency response was initiated immediately and they (doctors) gave prompt resuscitation but her condition could not be revived. So, she was declared dead at 9.30 pm in spite of the resuscitate efforts that was given to her,” Kharsahnoh said