Gynaecologist suspended after two women die after C-section at Bengaluru Health Centre

Bengaluru: Holding a gynaecologist responsible for the death of two women following a C-section surgery, the Commissioner of the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Karnataka suspended her from the position at the community health centre in Moka, Ballari district due to an alleged lapse in treatment.

The decision was made in response to the deaths of two women following surgery performed by the gynaecologist, with the committee report prima facie attributing their deaths due to failure in treatment and negligence.  

As a result, she faced suspension while awaiting disciplinary measures for her alleged lack of responsibility, failure to fulfil her duties, inadequate supervision, and failure to submit timely reports regarding the deaths of the two women.

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An order issued by D Randeep on Monday placed the gynaecologist on suspension under rule 10 of the Karnataka Civil Service (Classification Control and Appeal) Rules 1957 and issued a directive that the gynaecologist would be entitled to a subsistence allowance and would need approval from competent authorities to leave the district during the suspension period.

This comes after it was found that the gynaecologist conducted an operation on two women both aged 23 years old on March 6 and March 7 which resulted in severe blood loss leading to their death as reported by Deccan Herald. 

In the first case on March 6, the gynaecologist performed a lower segment Caesarean section (LSCS) surgery on the woman following which the patient suffered severe blood loss and was referred to Vijayanagara Institute of Medical Sciences (VIMS), Ballari for further treatment but the patient died despite reaching VIMS and Victoria Hospital, Bengaluru.

In the second case on March 7, another woman underwent LSCS surgery by the gynaecologist and she suffered a similar blood loss and was referred to VIMS. However, the patient died on the way to the referred hospital. 

Taking note of the two similar incidents, an inquiry sub-committee was formed and Chief Executive Officer, Ballari Zilla Panchayat was made in charge of the committee. 

On April 15, a notice was released by the authorities of Ballari district detailing the findings of the investigation which indicated that both women had sought treatment from Dr **** and had died due to lapse in treatment, irresponsibility, dereliction of duty, poor supervision, and failure to report to higher authorities in time thus recommending her suspension from services.

As a result, State Health Commissioner D Randeep suspended her with immediate effect pending further action. 

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