Operation theatres shut down suspecting infection after five women diepost-delivery
Five deaths in the last 10 days have forced Niloufer Hospital’s operation theatres (OT) to shut down and led to a probe into the unusually high rate of maternal mortality. All the newborns, however, survived.
The first death occurred on January 28, followed by another two days later. Two deaths were reported on February 1 while the fifth woman died on February 4, forcing the hospital to shut down its operating rooms, suspecting contamination.
The women had undergone C-section surgeries to deliver six children in all, died following the procedure, leading to a furore at hospital in the past few days. On Monday, relatives of one of the patients, Nusrat Begum, held a protest at the hospital and alleged medical negligence.
Investigation warranted
During the last 10 days, 44 women delivered through caesarean surgeries in the hospital’s two operating theatres. The hospital administration has said that an investigation is warranted into the five deaths as at least one woman who died suffered heavy bleeding post surgery. However, State’s Director of Medical Education M. Ramani said that only an expert committee can establish the cause of death after detailed evaluation.
“The committee has gone into all the details to determine the cause. The operation theatres were shut on Sunday. Swabs were taken for testing to detect possible contamination and fumigation was done,” she said.
What was however learnt is that all the women were referrals from other hospitals. One of the women was said to be obese, while another came to the hospital with baby in breech position. Another woman had a history of hypertension even as the fourth woman had delivered twins, a situation that carries more risk in delivery than a single foetus delivery, hospital sources said.
Telangana’s maternal mortality rate of 92 per 1,000 births is lower than national average, with Hyderabad boasting a rate of 71 in the State.
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