Woman dies after stillbirth at Jharkhand CHC, kin alleges negligence

West Singhbhum: Medical negligence has been alleged at the Manoharpur Community Health Centre (CHC) in Chaibasa, West Singhbhum district, following the death of a 31-year-old woman just hours after she delivered a stillborn baby. The incident has sparked outrage, as the couple had been trying to conceive for nearly 10 years.

The woman was admitted to the CHC around 9 am on Saturday for delivery. She gave birth to a stillborn baby girl at 4.22 pm, after which she reportedly went into deep shock. Her family alleged that the hospital lacked a gynaecologist and adequate emergency facilities, and the woman did not receive timely medical attention. Despite her critical condition, she was not referred to a higher facility and passed away around 7 pm.

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Following the incident, residents and family members staged a protest at the hospital, highlighting a critical shortage of surgeons and gynaecologists. They also pointed out that although an ultrasound machine is present, there is no technician to operate it, and emergency services are almost non-existent. The woman’s husband stated that timely intervention could have saved both his wife and child.

Sitaram Gop, a local Congress leader – whose party is a constituent of the state's ruling coalition – also raised serious questions about the healthcare system. He echoed the locals' allegation, saying neither surgeons nor gynaecologists are available in the Manoharpur CHC. He also reiterated the claim about the absence of technicians needed to operate the ultrasound machine at the hospital. Gop further alleged that if there were any complications during delivery, proper examination should have been done on time and the patient should have been referred to a better hospital. Failure to do so led to this tragic incident, he said, reports India Today.

The woman’s family has demanded a high-level investigation and strict action against those responsible.

Speaking to TOI, District civil surgeon Dr Jujhar Majhi said that a probe has been initiated in the matter. Majhi said that strict action will be taken against the culprits on the basis of the findings. “With regard to the facilities at the CHC, a detailed assessment will be conducted, and steps will be taken accordingly.”

He also stated that a technician would be deployed immediately to make the ultrasound machine functional at the CHC.

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