A 28-year-old pregnant woman allegedly lost her 33-week-old fetus after doctors were reportedly unavailable at a Community Health Centre (CHC) in Kannagi Nagar, Tamil Nadu. The woman, identified as Mercy, remains in critical condition following the incident, which has sparked protests and renewed concerns over maternal healthcare services in government facilities.
Family Alleges Absence of Doctors Led to Delay
According to reports, Mercy was brought to the Kannagi Nagar Community Health Centre at around 11 a.m. after experiencing severe stomach pain during her pregnancy. Family members and local activists alleged that no doctor was immediately available to attend to her, forcing the patient to wait for nearly an hour before medical intervention could be arranged.
Murugan, a local activist, claimed that due to the absence of a doctor, the woman was later referred to the Government Kasturba Gandhi Hospital for Women and Children (GOSHA) in Triplicane, located approximately 40 minutes away from the CHC. The family reportedly transported her to the referral hospital in an auto-rickshaw instead of an ambulance.
Fetus Could Not Be Saved at Referral Hospital
Upon reaching the government maternity hospital in Triplicane, doctors reportedly informed the family that the 33-week fetus could not be saved. Medical personnel also stated that Mercy’s condition was critical and required urgent treatment.
The incident triggered protests outside the Community Health Centre, with residents and activists demanding accountability and improvements in emergency maternal healthcare services.
CHC Doctors Reject Allegations of Non-Availability
Doctors at the Kannagi Nagar Community Health Centre have denied allegations that medical staff were unavailable when the patient arrived. According to hospital officials, Mercy was immediately subjected to an ultrasound examination and other diagnostic tests upon admission.
A doctor associated with the facility stated that both the fetal heart rate and the mother’s vital parameters were normal during the initial assessment. The doctor further explained that this was one of the reasons an ambulance was not considered necessary at that stage.
Hospital authorities said they are currently examining whether any delay occurred in shifting the patient to the higher medical centre in Triplicane.
Previous C-Section and Preterm Pregnancy Raised Concerns
Explaining the referral decision, a doctor noted that Mercy was 33 weeks pregnant, which falls under the preterm category. The doctor added that abdominal pain at this stage of pregnancy could indicate uterine stress or other complications. Since the patient had a history of a previous Caesarean section, doctors felt that a better-equipped tertiary care centre would be more suitable for her management.
“It was the surgeon’s call. Although her vitals were normal when we checked, she presented with pain at 33 weeks, which could be indicative of uterine stress. Her previous delivery was also a C-section. They have better resources,” the doctor reportedly said.
MLA Visits Hospital as Protest Intensifies
As public anger grew over the incident, Sholinganallur MLA Saravana Moorthy visited the hospital along with police personnel on Tuesday night to pacify protesters and assure them that the matter would be examined.
The incident has once again raised questions about the availability of emergency obstetric care, referral mechanisms, and timely transportation facilities for pregnant women in government healthcare institutions across Tamil Nadu.
