Jamui: Two postpartum women died at Jamui Sadar Hospital, triggering protests by their families and allegations of medical negligence. Relatives placed the bodies at the hospital’s main gate on Sunday and demanded action against the doctors allegedly responsible.
After being informed about the protest, Bihar minister Shreyasi Singh reached the hospital and met the bereaved families. She questioned hospital officials and reprimanded the deputy superintendent over the alleged lapses in treatment.
During the interaction, relatives alleged that doctors, including the woman doctor reportedly assigned to the night shift, were absent when the patients’ conditions deteriorated.
“Patients have lost their lives and you are explaining things to us,” Singh told hospital officials, according to those present.
The minister said that any doctor found responsible for negligence would face strict action. She also said she would meet Health Minister Nishant Kumar and Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary to brief them about the incident.
First patient died before delivery
The first case involved 28-year-old Anita Kumari, a resident of Nariyana village under Khaira police station. According to her husband, Sujit Kumar, Anita developed labour pain on Saturday night and was initially taken to Khaira Health Centre. She was subsequently referred to Jamui Sadar Hospital.
Anita was admitted to the Sadar Hospital at around 11 pm. Her family alleged that no woman doctor was present in the labour ward at the time. They said hodr shalini spital staff examined her and told them that a doctor would arrive, but her condition continued to deteriorate through the night.
Anita died at around 5 am on Sunday, according to her family.
Second woman died after giving birth
The second case involved 26-year-old Astha Kumari, from Chauhandih village in Khaira police station area.
According to her relatives, Astha underwent a Caesarean section at Jamui Sadar Hospital on Saturday and gave birth to a boy. Her condition was reportedly stable immediately after the operation.
Her condition suddenly deteriorated around midnight. The family said they informed a nurse but alleged that the doctor assigned to the duty was not available.
An emergency doctor subsequently started treatment, following which her condition appeared to improve temporarily. However, her health deteriorated again on Sunday morning and she died at around 10 am.
Family alleges lack of monitoring and blood arrangement
Astha’s relatives alleged that she did not receive regular monitoring by a doctor after the surgery. They said hospital staff informed them on Sunday morning that she needed a blood transfusion and the family began arranging blood.
The family said she died while they were trying to arrange the blood.
Following her death, relatives brought her body to the hospital’s main gate and staged a protest demanding action against those responsible.
Astha’s husband, Ratan Singh, had reportedly died in a road accident four months ago. Her newborn son has now lost both parents.
Minister questions hospital officials
After reaching the hospital, Singh met the families and sought details about both deaths. She then questioned the hospital’s deputy superintendent over the alleged absence of doctors.
The minister questioned why the woman doctor was not called when the patient’s condition deteriorated and why the case was not treated as an emergency.
She also said that if a patient’s condition was serious, the concerned doctor should have been called immediately.
Singh alleged that negligence by some doctors had resulted in the deaths of the two women and said action would be taken against those found responsible.
Three-member committee formed
Jamui district administration has constituted a three-member inquiry committee under the chairmanship of the Deputy Development Commissioner (DDC) to investigate the deaths.
The committee includes the Civil Surgeon and Senior Deputy Collector Sawan Kumar. It has been directed to submit its report within 24 hours.
Jamui Sadar Hospital Deputy Superintendent Dr Thanish Kumar said an investigation was underway. He said action would be taken against the woman doctor if her absence from duty was established.
District administration officials also visited the hospital and met the affected families. Circle Officer Saurabh Kumar said the administration had sought a written complaint from the families and would inform senior officials about the matter. Action would be taken against anyone found responsible, he said.
Doctor’s private clinic raided
Meanwhile, the district administration conducted a raid at the private clinic of Dr Shalini, who was reportedly assigned duty from 8 pm on Saturday to 8 am on Sunday.
The raid was conducted by a team led by SDM Saurav Kumar. Officials reportedly visited the doctor’s residence-cum-clinic as part of the inquiry. According to officials, Dr Shalini was at the premises but did not open the door.
The allegations of negligence and the circumstances surrounding both deaths are now under investigation. The inquiry committee’s report is expected to determine whether there were lapses in medical care, duty attendance or other aspects of the treatment.
