Koraput: Tension prevailed at District Headquarters Hospital in Malkangiri following the death of an eight-month-pregnant woman, with family members alleging medical negligence and accusing doctors of failing to provide proper treatment on Wednesday. An on-duty doctor was also allegedly assaulted by some agitated individuals.
Hospital authorities maintained that all required medical procedures were followed, and denied any lapse in care.
According to the family of deceased Bandana Mondal, 28, she fell ill late on Tuesday night. After they spotted a snake inside their house, the relatives rushed her to the district hospital around 1 am, suspecting a snakebite. They claimed they even brought the dead snake to the hospital to help doctors identify the species and provide appropriate treatment.
However, the family members alleged that Mondal did not receive adequate medical attention, and was later advised to return home despite her condition not improving. “She was still unwell, but the doctors asked us to take her home. Had she been kept under observation and treated properly, her life could have been saved,” a family member alleged. The family said that Bandana's condition deteriorated again later in the morning after returning home. She was immediately taken back to the hospital, where doctors declared her dead.
The incident sparked outrage among relatives and local residents, who accused the hospital authorities of negligence.
Rejecting the allegations, the treating doctor, Sidharth Bhola, said the patient was provided with all necessary medicines and medical care. “There was no negligence in treatment. The patient left the hospital on her own with her family members after receiving the treatment,” the doctor said.
Police personnel rushed to the hospital after the situation turned tense and brought it under control.
