Shimla, Jun 29 (PTI) A woman died during childbirth at Regional Hospital, Dhalpur in Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu district, with hundreds of people protesting at the hospital on Monday alleging negligence by doctors and other staff.
The protesters, which included the deceased’s family, stormed inside the premises of the hospital, raised slogans and burnt an effigy of Health Minister Dhani Ram Shandil. The security staff kept the entry to the main hospital building shut to prevent their entry, and a sizeable police force was present at the spot.
They demanded that strict action is taken against the doctor and a staff nurse. Later, based on the family’s complaint, the health department constituted a probe committee.
On June 20, Manju Sharma (23) from Sunaru village near Bali Chowki in Mandi district was admitted for a delivery, said Sapna Sharma, a relative. The attending doctor conducted the surgery but her condition deteriorated suddenly afterward, she said.
Manju informed the staff about her deteriorating health condition but a staff nurse allegedly dismissed her and claimed she was merely “acting” or feigning distress, relatives of the deceased said. Manju passed away within 24 hours.
The family immediately demanded action from the health department but no steps were taken initially, they said.
On Monday, a crowd of protesters entered the hospital premises and raised slogans. When they received no response from health department officials, they surrounded the office of Medical Superintendent Dr Hira Lal who came out and spoke to them.
The protesters also demanded that the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) be summoned to the site. Police forces were deployed at the Dhalpur hospital, but the protesters refused to budge.
Later, the health department formed a committee to probe the case based on the family’s complaint. Lack of clear explanations for the cause of Manju’s death remains the family and protesters’ primary concern.
Baldev Raj Sharma, who was at the protest, alleged that Manju lost her life due to a doctor’s negligence, yet the health department has taken no action so far.
He added that due to the health department’s inaction, hundreds of people have gathered for the protest so that no other woman dies in the future because of negligence by doctors and staff. PTI BPL SKY SKY
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.