PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
The chairperson of the Uttarakhand State Commission for Women (USCW) Kusum Kandwal has asked the Health department to conduct a thorough investigation into the case of a woman who died after a bandage was allegedly left in her abdomen during surgery in Dehradun. She said this following the death of Jyoti Prajwal (26 years old), a resident of Lakhibagh, who had undergone a cesarean section at the Mother Care Centre (Singh Eye Hospital) in Araghar, Dalanwala. Kandwal informed that Prajwal delivered her son on January 29 and was discharged four days later. However, about ten days post-delivery, she began experiencing severe abdominal pain. Despite examinations, doctors could not determine the cause. When her condition worsened, her family brought her back to the same hospital, but she was subsequently referred to Graphic Era Hospital. Unfortunately, it was revealed that a bandage used during her surgery had been left in her abdomen, leading to a serious infection that ultimately caused her death late on Sunday.
In response to this tragedy, the deceased’s family protested by placing her body on the hospital premises, accusing the hospital administration of negligence amounting to murder.
Kandwal stated that she spoke with the Dehradun chief medical officer Dr Manoj Kumar Sharma. He informed that he has suspended the licenses of the said hospital pending the outcome of the investigation and the body has been sent for a post-mortem examination.
Kandwal emphasised the seriousness of the matter and asked the CMO to take immediate action into this matter. She said, “If the woman’s death was due to hospital negligence, it is condemnable. The Commission will form a special investigation team to conduct an impartial inquiry into the entire incident. Strict action will be taken if anyone is found guilty.” She assured that both the Commission and the government support the victim’s family and that punitive measures will be pursued according to the law against anyone found responsible.
