Hyderabad: The case of 21-year-old K. Vanaja, who along with her newborn died on June 13 allegedly due to staff shortage at Gundala Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Bhadradri Kothagudem district, has taken a new turn after her family claimed they found a pair of surgical scissors in her ashes following cremation.
The family has questioned how the instrument ended up in her body in what they claim was a normal delivery, reiterating their allegation of medical negligence that led to the deaths of both mother and child.
"There was a pair of scissors in her ashes. We were shocked to see it. We don't know which part of the body they left it in," said Vanaja's uncle, Kunja Rambabu. He added that the family has not yet brought the matter to the attention of health department officials.
Speaking to TOI, Rambabu, who had earlier lodged a complaint with the district medical and health officer (DMHO) following the deaths on June 13, said there was alleged negligence from the time labour pains were reported.
"We informed an ASHA worker at 6 am, but she responded only around 10 am and then arranged an ambulance. When we reached the hospital, no one even told us that the doctor was not available. If we had known, we would have taken her to another nearby hospital," he said. He further questioned why Vanaja was admitted to the facility if adequate staff was not available, and demanded action against those responsible.
Vanaja, a resident of the remote village of Shambunigudem in Gundala mandal, was taken to Gundala PHC in a fully dilated stage on June 13. At the time, only a senior auxiliary nurse midwife (ANM) was present in the labour room, and she reportedly conducted the delivery in the absence of doctors and nurses, as there was no time to refer the patient to another hospital.
After delivery, both mother and newborn were shifted to Yellandu PHC. The newborn was declared brought dead, while Vanaja was referred to a govt hospital in Khammam, where she died due to severe postpartum haemorrhage.
Bhadradri Kothagudem DMHO, Dr Tularam Rathod, however, clarified that the instrument found by the family was not left inside the body due to negligence, but was part of a medical procedure.
"At Yellandu hospital, to control bleeding, a condom balloon catheter was inserted. An artery forceps, a scissors-like surgical instrument, was used to clamp it. It was not left inside the body but remained outside," he said, adding that the family may not have been informed due to the tense situation following the deaths.
A city-based obstetrician-gynaecologist told TOI that artery forceps are often used as a stop-gap arrangement when clamps are unavailable. "It is not left inside the body; it is used externally and temporarily until bleeding is controlled," she added.
Medical Officer Suspended; Department Orders Thorough Probe
Following the incident, the govt has suspended medical officer, Dr Ch Sudeep, for dereliction of duty and initiated disciplinary action against three others for negligence in delivery of healthcare services. The decision was taken after an immediate enquiry was ordered into the incident on the directions of health minister Damodar Rajanarsimha.
During the enquiry conducted on June 17 by the project officer, ITDA, Bhadrachalam, it was revealed that there were lapses in communication, case management and adherence to referral protocols. Disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against ASHA Worker Mokalla Lakshmi and MPHA(F) P Dhanamma for failing to identify the beneficiary as a high-risk pregnancy despite severe anaemia (haemoglobin approximately 3 g/dL), and for not ensuring timely referral and communication to the Medical Officer.
Similarly, disciplinary action has been initiated against MPHA(F) E Gyaneswari, who was on duty at the PHC, for conducting the delivery without prior consultation with the medical officer and for failing to ensure that a healthcare provider accompanied the patient during referral despite severe postpartum haemorrhage.
To establish the complete facts surrounding the incident and recommend systemic measures to prevent recurrence of such incidents, the govt has constituted a high-level committee comprising Dr Ravinder Naik, Director of Public Health, Dr Sudheera, Joint Director (Maternal Health), Dr Rathod Tularam, District Medical & Health Officer, Bhadradri Kothagudem, and Dr G Ravi Babu, District Coordinator of Health Services (DCHS). The committee is conducting a comprehensive enquiry and will submit its report to the Government.
