KOZHIKODE: The controversial Sprouts International, Naturopathic Maternity Studio which was functioning inside Ernad hospital in Manjery was exploiting the naturopathic leanings of the local people, according to deputy district medical officer Dr. R. Renuka. A pregnant woman Shafna, 22, of Malappuram district, had died at the clinic soon after she gave birth to her first baby on January 10. It was sealed by the health authorities after the death. District medical officer Dr. K. Sakeena filed a report over the incident to Malappuram district collector Amit Meena, who has handed it over to the police for action.
The centre claimed to provide ground birthing and water birthing facilities in a naturopathic way. It was run by a couple with Bachelor of Naturopathy and Yoga qualification and they were taking care of delivery cases which the DMO says is illegal and punitive. Dr. Renuka said, “a few people in Valavannur area are interested in giving birth at home. The centre zeroes in on such people and offers them a homely atmosphere without resorting to modern medicine. For the suspecting people, they would tell that a gynaecologist practising modern medicine was in the Ernad hospital to take care of any emergency,” she said.
The death of the mother happened due to bleeding and the naturopath doctors did not consult the gynaecologist even at a critical stage. “A stitch could have saved her life. But as per our information, BNY-holders do not have the experience of labour room handling and no other BNY doctors are taking care of delivery,” Dr. Sakeena told this newspaper. The relatives of the deceased had no complaint and they said that the death wasn’t due to the centre’s fault.
