Doctor, Nurse Transferred After Enquiry into PHC Lapses
Krishnagiri:
A case of alleged medical negligence has emerged following the intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD) of twin babies, leading to the transfer of a doctor and a staff nurse from the Urigam Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Krishnagiri district of Tamil Nadu.
Patient Background and Treatment History
The case involves a 23-year-old pregnant woman from near the Urigam tribal village who delivered twin IUFD babies at the Government Krishnagiri Medical College Hospital (GKMCH). The woman had been receiving regular antenatal care at the Urigam PHC and had earlier been admitted to GKMCH for ten days in January due to pregnancy-related complications.
Husband Alleges Lapses at PHC
According to The New Indian Express, the woman’s husband alleged that lapses in care at the PHC contributed to the fetal deaths. He stated that after a GKMCH doctor advised a follow-up with a scan report, the couple visited Urigam PHC on Monday, where they were told a caesarean section was required but were asked to return the next day due to the doctor’s unavailability.
Events Leading to Fetal Death Declaration
The husband further claimed that on Tuesday morning, the couple again visited the PHC and were referred to GKMCH. He alleged that both babies had a fetal heart rate before boarding the ambulance, but on reaching GKMCH, hospital staff declared the babies dead. The twins were delivered as IUFD cases following surgery later that evening, while the mother continues to receive treatment.
Hospital Denies Negligence
Responding to the allegations, GKMCH Superintendent Dr Chandrasekar denied any negligence on the part of the medical college hospital. He stated that when the patient arrived, no fetal heart rate was detected and that without a postmortem, the exact time of fetal demise could not be determined.
PHC Doctor Rejects Allegations
The Urigam PHC medical officer also denied the charges, stating that the scan report was reviewed on Monday and that the patient was advised to consult an obstetrician and gynaecologist. The officer maintained that the pregnancy was high-risk despite a normal scan and claimed that a referral letter explaining the health issues had already been issued.
Enquiry Findings and Transfers
Following the allegations, a special enquiry team comprising maternal and child health officials, a paediatrician, and an obstetrician-gynaecologist was constituted. Based on the enquiry report submitted to District Collector C Dinesh Kumar, the PHC medical officer was transferred to Hosur block and the staff nurse to Uthangarai block.
Further Investigation Ordered
District Health Officer Dr G Ramesh Kumar said the report pointed to procedural lapses, including failure to check fetal heart rate at the PHC, inaccurate referral documentation, and reliance on a private scan report. Officials noted that the fetal demise likely occurred several hours before declaration at GKMCH. Collector Dinesh Kumar ordered a broader investigation involving multiple departments, while the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) demanded immediate postmortem to establish accountability.
