27-year-old woman dies during sterilization surgery, family alleges negligence

Madikeri: A case of alleged medical negligence has been registered following the death of a 27-year-old woman during a free laparoscopic sterilization procedure at Madikeri District Hospital. The incident has sparked widespread protests.

The incident took place on Tuesday at the Kushalnagar Community Health Center, where a 27-year-old woman had been admitted for a sterilization procedure.

The surgical camp was held as part of a nationwide initiative to provide free sterilization procedures under the Central Government’s sterilization scheme. On Tuesday, a total of 12 women had registered for the procedure at the camp.

Among those registered, a 27-year-old resident of Periyapatna taluk was admitted to the Community Health Center for a surgical procedure. After receiving anaesthesia, her condition began to deteriorate. In response, she was immediately transferred to the District Hospital in Madikeri for further medical attention. However, despite efforts to save her, she was declared dead upon arrival at the hospital.

Following her death, the kin of the deceased gathered at the District Hospital and alleged medical negligence for her untimely death. A protest was held outside the hospital demanding a thorough investigation into the incident.

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Speaking to TNIE, the deceased's husband said, "My wife was perfectly healthy. She nursed our baby twice before entering the operation theatre. They wouldn't let us see what happened inside."

The authorities have launched an investigation and inspected the Community Health Center. A case of unnatural death has been registered at the Kushalnagar police station, and investigations are underway.

Kodagu Superintendent of Police K. Ramarajan confirmed that Shanthi was the second patient scheduled for the surgery. He also confirmed the investigation stating both medical and police inquiries would be carried out to determine the cause of death.

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Dr Satish, the District Health Officer (DHO), confirmed that this was the first fatality in the 20 years that the surgical team had been conducting sterilization procedures in various districts, including Kodagu and Dakshina Kannada. He assured that both the medical and police investigations would provide a thorough review of the case.