Jahangeer Ganaie
Shopian, Oct 9: Tension gripped south Kashmir’s Shopian district after the death of a 27-year-old woman, who passed away a day after giving birth at the Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Keller.
The family of the deceased, identified as Shazia Akhter, wife of Waseem Ahmad Lone of Chowan Keller, has accused doctors of medical negligence and demanded strict action against those responsible.
The family members said that Shazia delivered a baby at the hospital on Wednesday and complained of severe pain on Thursday morning. “Despite our repeated pleas, doctors did not take her condition seriously. Within hours, her condition deteriorated, and she passed away,” a family member alleged, adding that her death was a result of “sheer negligence and lack of proper care.”
Following the incident, the grieving family and locals held a protest in the hospital premises, demanding an impartial inquiry and action against the concerned doctors.
The protesters further alleged that the Keller hospital suffers from a severe staff shortage and lacks basic medical facilities, putting patients’ lives at constant risk.
Reacting to the incident, the hospital administration denied the allegations of negligence, saying the woman’s death was due to a cardiac arrest. “The patient died of a sudden cardiac event, not due to any negligence from the medical staff,” an official from the hospital said.
Meanwhile, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Shopian has constituted a four-member committee for investigation.
As per the official order, an enquiry committee of doctors has been constituted under the chairmanship of Dr M. Yousuf Naikoo, Block Medical Officer Shopian, to investigate the circumstances leading to Shazia’s death.
The committee includes Dr Samiullah Dar (Consultant Gynaecologist, CHC Zainapora), Dr Seth Mujtaba (Surgeon Specialist, District Hospital Shopian), and Dr Shabir Ahmad Langoo (Consultant Anesthesiologist, CHC Zainapora).
The committee has been tasked to examine all medical records, case sheets, and investigation reports related to the deceased, ascertain the sequence of events and the treatment protocols followed, determine the exact medical cause of death and identify any negligence or systemic failure, and recommend corrective measures.
The enquiry panel has been directed to submit its detailed report within three days.
