Newborn dies after pregnant woman leaves GMC Rajouri, inquiry ordered

A newborn baby died after delivery in a private room in Rajouri after a pregnant woman allegedly left the hospital ward during her treatment at Government Medical College and Associated Hospital (GMC&AH) Rajouri, officials said.

The incident has prompted the hospital authorities to order an inquiry and the police are also taking cognisance of the matter.

An official told the news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the woman was brought to GMC&AH Rajouri through an ASHA worker and doctors examined her before she was kept under observation. She was discovered missing from the ward during a subsequent round.

Medical Superintendent GMC&AH Rajouri, Dr Shamim Ahmed Choudhary, told KNO that the hospital later declared the patient “LAMA” (Left Against Medical Advice) after efforts to trace her failed.

The woman was not in active labour at the time and was kept under observation, he said. “During the second round, the patient was not found in the ward. We tried to trace her but could not find her and she was declared LAMA. We thought she might return, as she was not having active labour pain,” Dr Choudhary said.

The woman returned to the hospital the following evening in serious condition with heavy bleeding, he said. “She was actively managed by the doctors and shifted to the ICU. Her condition is presently stable and she is under observation,” the Medical Superintendent said.

Meanwhile, the newborn died after delivery in a private room. The circumstances surrounding the birth, including how the woman left the hospital, who was with her and where the birth took place, are being investigated.

The hospital administration has formed an inquiry committee to find out the facts, Dr Choudhary said. “The matter is under investigation. Police have already taken cognisance of the issue. Whoever is found involved will face action,” he said.

A hospital employee, whose name was mentioned in the preliminary proceedings, has been suspended pending the inquiry, he said.

“A committee has been constituted and an inquiry has been ordered. The committee will submit its report within two days. After that, the facts will be placed before the authorities and whatever action is required will be taken,” Dr Choudhary said.

The district health authorities would also probe the circumstances under which the woman was taken to the private facility, including whether the clinic was registered and authorised to provide such services, he said. “The district health authorities will look into where she was operated, whether the clinic is registered or not, and under what circumstances the entire incident took place,” he said.

Dr Choudhary said that the incident would be thoroughly investigated and appropriate measures would be taken to strengthen hospital management. “Steps will be taken for effective management in the hospital so that patients do not suffer,” he said.