Karnataka Doctors association comes out in support of suspended Gynaecologist

Bengaluru: Coming out in support of the gyanecologist who was suspended following the death of a pregnant woman and her twins, the Karnataka Government Medical Officers' Association (KGMOA) has appealed to the Health Minister to revoke the doctor's suspension in the matter. This comes after the doctor wrote a letter explaining that she was busy in Operation Theatre (OT) when the incident occurred and when came across the patient was told that the patient and family themselves were denying to undergo tests.

Medical dialogues team had earlier reported about the incident where the woman, identified as Kasturi, who was in labour, has been sent back from the Tumakuru district hospital on the grounds that she did not have the "mother health card". According to reports, despite repeated requests, the doctors refused to provide treatment to the mother and the child.

Apart from this, it has been also alleged that they told the woman to get treatment at the Victoria Hospital in Bangalore instead of treating her. However, she returned home as she had no money.

On Thursday morning, while delivering the babies due to severe blood loss the woman died along with the newborns. The deceased woman gave birth to twin boys. Locals alleged that the Tumakuru District Hospital doctor is responsible for the death of the pregnant woman and her two children.

After conducting a probe, Sudhakar announced the suspension of a gynaecologist and three nurses due to dereliction of duty.

Doctor's Side written in the letter

In a letter written to the president of KGMOA, the doctor asked for the association's help explaining her side of the story.

In the letter, Dr Usha said, "I had performed eight surgeries between 5 pm and 9.30 pm on November 2. Meanwhile, I came across the woman (the victim) along with an attendant in the corridors and got to know from a postgraduate doctor and the nurse on duty that she was refusing to produce documents as well as undergo tests. On November 4, the minister and the commissioner concerned took the unilateral decision to suspend me on charges of dereliction of duty."

Supporting Dr Usha A R, the association denied any dereliction of duty on her part and claimed that she was not responsible for the death. According to the association, neither her statement nor CCTV footage has been examined by the government before suspending her. 

The association appealed to Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar to review the matter again

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"Dr Usha attended to the victim and tried to convince her to undergo some tests. But the victim herself took the decision to return home," claimed Dr Chethan M, association president.

KGMOA president Dr AN Desai told TOI, "We will meet the health minister on Monday and appeal that action be taken against the culprits and not against those who were not responsible for the incident."

DHO Dr Manjunath D N said TNIE, "The departmental inquiry is in progress and the facts will be established once the authority concerned submits its report to the government," he said. Meanwhile, civil society members continued their protest demanding the dismissal of the duty doctor and three staff nurses.

Also read- Death Of Pregnant Woman, Twins: Govt Doctor And 3 Nurses Suspended In Karnataka