Pregnant Woman Dies After Delivery performed by Nurses in Doctor's Absence

Thoothukudi: A 30-year-old pregnant woman passed away during labor following a referral from Pudukkottai Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) to Thoothukudi Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH). This incident has sparked widespread protests and raised serious concerns over medical negligence.

According to the news reports, the 30-year-old woman had arrived at Pudukottai PHC around 7 a.m. on Saturday, seeking medical attention for her second pregnancy. After nearly three hours of labor, the medical staff at the PHC referred her to Thoothukudi Government Medical College Hospital (GMCH) for further treatment, citing a lack of cervical dilation. However, upon arrival at the government hospital, doctors in the obstetrics and gynecology department declared her dead.

Following this, the woman’s family members staged a protest, demanding an inquiry into the care she received at the Pudukottai PHC. They alleged that there was a serious absence of doctors and that the nurses at the PHC failed to provide adequate care during her labor.

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Speaking to The Hindu, Thoothukudi Deputy Director (Health) Yazhini denied the allegations of the doctor’s absence. She clarified that a doctor was present at the PHC when Zaheera was admitted, stating that Zaheera had a tough labor. While she had been receiving treatment at a PHC in Dindigul district, she had started treatment at Pudukottai PHC only two months ago.