Protest against Death of Mother and Newborn at PHC

Dear All,

On Sunday 17th August 2014, four deaths were reported in Mudgal CHC all on the same day. One was a maternal death and the other three were neonatal deaths.

Mala

Mala was expecting her second child. She had been regular in her antenatal checkups in Mudgal CHC. Her parameters were supposedly normal and her expected date of delivery was on 16^th September 2014.  On 17^th August 2014, she reported low back pain.  Her husband Soorappa decided it was better to meet the doctor and rule out any complication and brought her to the CHC.  

The nurses at the CHC decided that she should get admitted and got her started on IV fluids and said that she is ready to deliver. Soorappa was surprised given that her EDD was still a month away. He called the medical officer. The latter said he is presently away but he will talk to the nurses. They conducted the delivery at around 1.30 pm and said that the newborn is serious and they should take the baby to the nearest hospital for higher level care. The family took the newborn to a private hospital Amregowda hospital, 18 km from Mudgal. The baby was declared brought dead. The doctor there showed marks around the baby’s neck and said that the baby had already died at birth but the staff had not informed them. In the meanwhile Mala was shifted to the ward where her bleeding increased. When the nurses were informed they rudely dismissed the family. When Mala started having breathing difficulty the nurses decided to give her oxygen. The cylinder was empty and no one knew who had the keys to the store where oxygen cylinders are kept. Mala’s distress increased and she breathed her last at around 3 pm.

Saraswathi

On the same day, Saraswathi from Naglapura village came to Mudgal CHC for her first delivery. She arrived at 10.30 in the morning by 108 ambulance. The nurses conducted the delivery within 15 minutes of her arrival.  Saraswathi gave birth to a live baby but the baby died within an hour. When asked why, the nurses told the family, ‘It is your fate’ and demanded Rs.1300 for the ‘delivery’. The family struggled to mobilize 1200 immediately but the nurses were insistent that unless 1300 is paid they will not hand over the baby’s dead body. It is cruel irony that Mala’s family who were themselves in deep shock and grief paid the remaining Rs.100.

All through this the Medical Officer Ishwar Savadi remained suspiciously absent. It is an open secret all over Lingsgur taluk that he has fixed charges for all services. He charges Rs.3000 for delivery while the nurses can charge 1500. Sundays are unofficially the days when Nurses can conduct deliveries and make money while he makes money on other days. The doctor also runs a private establishment where he conducts deliveries, illegal abortions and hysterectomies. Medicines from the hospital are sold to local pharmacies.

The issue of maternal and neonatal deaths was immediately reported to the DC and DHO and the latter called for a joint meeting with families and staff on 9th September 2013 to discuss and gather evidence for an enquiry into the deaths. Adding insult to injury the DHO cancelled the meeting without any reason or prior notice indicating that the rot runs deep with the collusion of the district administration and the local political brass. 

Mudgal is perhaps just one example of the depths to which the 'public' health system has sunk to. Government hospitals have becomes centers for disease and death while the private hospitals are epicenters of shameless greed, exploitation and profiteering.  

Pro-people sanghatans and communities in Raichur are raising their voice to salvage the 'public' health system from the grips of corruption and apathy and as a wake-up call to all those in power and authority.  

Please find attached the pamphlet of the indefinite protest in front of Mudgal CHC on 18th September 2014 demanding justice and immediate action against the corrupt medical officers and the staff of the CHC who were directly responsible for the maternal and neonatal deaths.

Please join us on 18th September 2014 in Mudgal to strengthen our voices against exploitation and to ensure justice is done. 

In Solidarity

Karnataka Janaarogya Chaluvali, Raichur District Committee