Doctors negligence alleged for maternal deaths

Chittoor: Seven maternal deaths were reported in the Government General Hospital (GGH) here in the last three months. The kin of the deceased are blaming the doctors for not providing the proper treatment.

The maternal deaths are defeating the purpose of encouraging institutional deliveries. The government has been promoting institutional deliveries in a big way. Recently, Chittoor MP Dr N Sivaprasad made a surprise visit to the maternity ward of the government hospital and slammed gynaecologists for showing negligence in discharging their duties.

On Wednesday, Kavitha, a resident of Iruvaram in Chittoor city had died in the hospital after delivery. Kavitha’s husband had lodged a police complaint against the doctors and also submitted a written complaint to the District Collector seeking stringent action against the doctors who were responsible for his wife’s death.

A week ago, a pregnant woman died in the GGH and the relatives of the deceased staged a dharna against the doctors. Two weeks ago, a Dalit pregnant woman from Gangadhara Nellore mandal had died in the GGH and it had evoked sensation in the district. The maternal deaths in the district headquarters are also attributed to lack of coordination between the doctors of the Apollo and APVVP.

Speaking to The Hans India here on Thursday, GGH Superintendent Dr E Pandu Rangaiah has termed maternal deaths as unfortunate. He condemned the allegations against doctors and stated doctors were not responsible for maternal deaths. Rangaiah said that a detailed report would be submitted to the Collector over the death of Kavitha in the GGH on Wednesday.

By C Prabhakara Rao