PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Haridwar
The Haridwar chief medical officer Dr RK Singh has deputed a team from the Health department to investigate the suspicious death of a 22-year-old pregnant woman at New Devbhoomi Hospital, which has sparked anger and resentment among her family members.
According to reports, the said woman, a resident of Gram Panchayat Bhogpur, was healthy prior to being admitted to the district women’s hospital in Haridwar when she went into labour. Doctors there later referred her to a higher facility, raising questions about how her condition deteriorated so rapidly. Sources indicate that there may be collusion between the district hospital and private hospitals, leading to many pregnant women being intentionally sent to private centres. An ASHA worker present at the hospital served as a mediator, facilitating her transfer to New Devbhoomi Hospital. The family alleged that when they arrived, the doctors initially demanded Rs 40,000 but later raised the demand to Rs 65,000. The operation was performed while the family arranged the funds, but tragically, the woman died within a few hours afterward.
Following the incident, family members attempted to discuss the matter with the hospital management, but all doctors and staff left the premises. Police subsequently arrived and took the body for a post-mortem examination without the family’s consent.
In light of these events, Singh stated that a team from the Health department was immediately assigned to investigate the case. Currently, the operating theatre of the hospital has been sealed and a three-member team of doctors has been appointed to conduct the investigation, which is expected to produce a report within three days.
