KOZHIKODE: A gynaecologist of the district government hospital, Mananthavady, Wayanad, has been suspended following the death of three new-born children of a tribal woman on Wednesday and Thursday.
Dr. T.K. Sushma, who was on call duty, did not attend the case of Anitha, 27, of Walad, Edathana colony, in the early hours of Wednesday, it is learnt.
Anitha, who was suffering labour pains, was sent to Kozhikode Medical College in an ambulance without a nurse. On the way, she gave birth to a boy at Panamaram community health centre.
A second child was born in the ambulance itself at Pachilakad. The third delivery happened at general hospital, Kalpetta.
The second and third kids died on Wednesday and the other at Kozhikode Medical College Hospital early on Thursday.
The woman’s relatives alleged that the deaths occurred due to the negligence of the authorities at Mananthavady hospital.
“The suspension is based on a preliminary inquiry. It will be followed by a vigilance probe of the health department,” said Wayanad district medical officer Dr P.V. Sasidharan.
Minister P.K. Jayalakshmi sought a detailed report on the matter. The tribal department announced Rs 1 lakh as compensation for Anitha.
An official-level meeting held at Mananthavady asked the government to provide Rs 5 lakh as compensation.
The DYFI and the Yuva Morcha staged a protest at the district hospital demanding action against the erring officials.
