In a distressing incident, a 26-year-old woman passed away on Monday following a Cesarean section (C-Section) performed by doctors using mobile phone flashlights at Mumbai’s Sion Hospital. The woman, identified as Saheedunnissa Ansari, tragically succumbed a few hours after delivering a stillborn baby weighing approximately 4 kg.
BMC Initiates Probe
In response to the incident, Mumbai’s civic body, the BMC, swiftly formed a 10-member committee, including doctors from the state-run JJ Hospital, to investigate the matter. The formation of the committee follows protests organized by the deceased woman’s relatives outside the hospital on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Allegations of Inadequate Healthcare Facilities
The deceased woman’s relatives have alleged that Sion Hospital lacked essential emergency equipment, such as oxygen cylinders, which could have potentially averted the tragedy. Reports indicate that doctors resorted to performing the C-Section under mobile phone torchlight due to frequent power cuts in the city on Monday.
BMC Responds to Criticism
The BMC’s executive health officer acknowledged issues with the hospital’s generator, which compelled doctors to make the decision to operate under such circumstances. Additionally, it was disclosed that Saheedunnissa suffered from postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), leading to severe vaginal bleeding post-childbirth. The BMC official stressed that PPH is unpredictable and cited it as one of the primary causes of maternal mortality in India.
Conclusion
The tragic death of Saheedunnissa Ansari has ignited public outrage and prompted an official investigation into the circumstances surrounding her demise. The incident underscores the critical need for adequate healthcare infrastructure and preparedness to handle emergency situations, particularly in maternity care, to prevent such heartbreaking incidents in the future.
