Dr KK Aggarwal
Authorities have ordered an
inquiry after a pregnant woman died at Maternity and Children Hospital Sherbagh
in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, even as the police took cognisance of the
case. Shobi Jan (25) wife of Mohd Hussain Bhat of Sarnal Anantnag died on
Tuesday (June 25). She walked into the hospital on the morning of June 25
(Tuesday). She was asked to take tea and snacks before her delivery which
according to the family was fixed at 2 p.m. by the doctors. However, no
doctor turned up at the scheduled time.
A female attendant observed
that there was no movement of foetus inside the womb and she rushed to inform the
doctors. There was no response from the doctors ill 11 pm when she was taken to
labour room where no one from the family was allowed to enter. She was taken to
operating theater at around 3 a.m.
It was at around 6: 30 a.m.
that the operating theater was opened and that too when the police team reached
the hospital. The case has been booked under 174 CrPc.
Applicable Laws
1. Section 174 in The Code Of
Criminal Procedure, 1973
174. Police to enquire and
report on suicide, etc.
(1) When the officer in
charge of a police station or some other police officer specially empowered by
the State Government in that behalf receives information that a person has
committed suicide, or has been killed by another or by an animal or by
machinery or by an accident, or has died under circumstances raising a
reasonable suspicion that some other person has committed an offence, he
shall immediately give intimation thereof to the nearest Executive Magistrate
empowered to hold inquests, and, unless otherwise directed by any rule
prescribed by the State Government, or by any general or special order of the
District or Sub- divisional Magistrate, shall proceed to the place where the
body of such deceased person is, and there, in the presence of two' or more
respectable inhabitants of the neighbourhood, shall make an investigation, and
draw up a report of the apparent cause of death, describing such wounds,
fractures, bruises, and other marks of injury as may be found on the body, and
stating in what manner, or by what weapon or instrument (if any); such marks
appear to have been inflicted.
(2) The report shall be
signed by such police officer and other persons, or by so many of them as
concur therein, and shall be forthwith forwarded to the District Magistrate or
the Sub- divisional Magistrate.
(3) When-
(i) the case involves
suicide by a woman within seven years of her marriage; or
(ii) the case relates to
the death of a woman within seven years of her marriage in any circumstances
raising a reasonable suspicion that some other person committed an offence in
relation to such woman; or
(iii) the case relates to
the death of a woman within seven years of her marriage and any relative of the
woman has made a request in this behalf; or
(iv) there is any doubt
regarding the cause of death; or
(v) the police officer
for any other reason considers it expedient so to do, he shall. subject to such
rules as the State Government may prescribe in this behalf, forward the body,
with a view to its being examined, to the nearest Civil Surgeon, or other
qualified medical man appointed in this behalf by the State Government, if the
state of the weather and the distance admit of its being so forwarded without
risk of such putrefaction on the road as would render such examination useless.
(4) The following
Magistrates are empowered to hold inquests, namely, any District Magistrate or
Sub- divisional Magistrate and any other Executive Magistrate specially
empowered in this behalf by the State Government or the District Magistrate.
MCI Ethics Regulations
3.3 Punctuality in
Consultation: Utmost punctuality should be observed by a
physician in making themselves available for consultations.
2.4 The Patient must not
be neglected: A physician is free to choose whom he will serve.
He should, however, respond to any request for his assistance in an emergency.
Once having undertaken a case, the physician should not neglect the patient,
nor should he withdraw from the case without giving adequate notice to the
patient and his family. Provisionally or fully registered medical practitioner
shall not wilfully commit an act of negligence that may deprive his patient or
patients from necessary medical care.
Lessons
· Internationally,
husbands are allowed in labour rooms. The same should become a routine
transparent practice in India too.
· Punctuality
must be observed. Even if the doctor is not available, the sister or the
resident on duty, should introduce themselves to the patient and convey their
credentials to them.
·
Every nursing home should use e-consultation and make the
patient and relations talk through video chat within minutes of admission.
Dr KK Aggarwal
Padma Shri Awardee
President Elect Confederation of
Medical Associations in Asia and Oceania
(CMAAO)
Group Editor-in-Chief IJCP Publications
President Heart Care Foundation of
India
Past National President
IMA
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