High-Level Committee Formed as Inquiry Finds Failures in Patient Monitoring, Referral, and Anaemia Detection
Hyderabad: The Telangana Government has suspended the in-charge Medical Officer of Gundala Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Bhadradri Kothagudem district following the death of a 20-year-old pregnant woman. The government has also initiated disciplinary action against three other healthcare personnel after a departmental inquiry uncovered serious deficiencies in patient care, monitoring, and referral procedures.
The deceased woman, a resident of Shambhunigudem village, had been receiving regular antenatal care at Gundala PHC throughout her pregnancy. According to reports, she was brought to the health centre in critical condition on June 13, where she delivered a stillborn baby.
Severe Postpartum Haemorrhage Led to Referral Chain
Following the delivery, the woman reportedly developed severe postpartum haemorrhage. After receiving initial treatment at Gundala PHC, she was referred to Yellandu Community Health Centre (CHC) and subsequently shifted to the Government General Hospital in Khammam for advanced medical management.
Despite intensive treatment efforts by medical teams at both facilities, the woman succumbed to her condition. Doctors confirmed that the cause of death was haemorrhagic shock followed by cardiac arrest.
Inquiry Identifies Multiple Lapses in Maternal Healthcare Management
A departmental inquiry conducted on June 17 revealed significant shortcomings in the PHC’s information management system, patient monitoring, case management, and referral mechanisms.
The investigation found that the ASHA worker and an Auxiliary Nurse-Midwife (ANM) failed to identify the woman’s severe anaemia during pregnancy, did not adequately communicate her condition to the medical officer, and failed to ensure timely referral to a higher healthcare facility for specialised treatment.
Another ANM faced disciplinary action for allegedly conducting the delivery without consulting the medical officer and for not ensuring that healthcare personnel accompanied the patient during referral despite her critical condition and excessive bleeding.
Medical Officer Suspended for Alleged Absence from Duty
The Telangana Government has also suspended the Medical Officer of Gundala PHC for allegedly being absent from duty at the time of the incident. The action comes amid concerns over adherence to established maternal healthcare protocols and emergency response procedures.
High-Level Committee Constituted for Comprehensive Investigation
In response to the incident, the state government has constituted a high-level committee to conduct a detailed investigation into the circumstances leading to the maternal death and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The committee includes Public Health Director Dr Ravinder Naik, Joint Director (Maternal and Child Health) Dr Sudhira, Bhadradri Kothagudem District Medical and Health Officer Dr Rathod Tukaram, and District Coordinator of Hospital Services (DCHS) Dr G Ravibabu.
The panel is expected to assess systemic gaps in maternal healthcare delivery and suggest corrective measures aimed at strengthening patient monitoring, referral systems, and emergency obstetric care across the state.
