Kerala: Nurses conduct delivery in absence of Gynaecologist, Human Rights Panel seeks DMO's report

Kozhikode: In light of the recent incident where nurses delivered a baby in the absence of a gynaecologist at Thamarassery Taluk Hospital, the District Medical Officer (DMO) has been asked to conduct the inquiry and submit the report within 15 days.

The Kerala State Human Rights Commission has given the order to the DMO after the matter drew public concern prompting the government to take action in this regard.

The incident occurred on January 31st when the pregnant woman, a resident of Kudukkilummaram in Thamarassery was admitted to the Thamarassery Taluk Hospital. Afterward, the woman began to experience labour pain and her relatives called for a doctor to check up on her.

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However, no doctors were present at the moment, and as a result, the nurses were forced to deliver the baby without the presence of a gynaecologist. The nurses took the baby out and she started bleeding soon after that. By the time the doctor was summoned, the delivery had already taken place.

Later, the woman was shifted to Kozhikode Medical College Hospital for further treatment. According to the claims of the relatives, the doctor came after the delivery.

The incident caused major chaos outside the hospital. The family members and relatives of the patient marched to the hospital and protested in front of the hospital, Kaumudi reports.

Demanding action against the hospital authorities and the doctor, a complaint was lodged tagging the chief minister and the health minister to provide justice to the matter.

A suo-motu case has been taken by the Kerala State Human Rights Commission based on the media reports.

Digging the matter in depth, it came to light that the hospital is currently short on doctors, which is why the incident occurred.

The Kozhikode district committee of the Kerala Government Medical Officers’ Association told TH “Only three gynaecologists had been appointed at the hospital, and the 24-hour presence of doctors was not practical at present. At least seven gynaecologists will have to be appointed for the purpose.”

When asked about the authenticity of the incident, the hospital superintendent denied all the allegations and said the matter will be investigated.

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