While an inquiry into the death of a pregnant woman, allegedly due to the negligence of doctors at Government Medical College (GMC) Rajouri, is underway, another incident of alleged medical negligence has surfaced in Jammu and Kashmir's Bandipora district, where a woman reportedly gave birth on a roadside shortly after being discharged from a government hospital.
The incident triggered a strong reaction from local residents, who demanded a probe into the matter.
Reports said that Hafeeza Begum, a resident of the Chechinar area of Aloosa, was admitted to District Hospital Bandipora on June 17 after being given a scheduled delivery date by doctors.
According to her family, she remained under observation in the labour room overnight. Doctors had initially considered referring her to Srinagar, but the family requested that the delivery be conducted at the district hospital, citing financial constraints.
The following day, Begum was discharged after being informed that her delivery was still about two weeks away, her family alleged.
However, within about 30 minutes of leaving the hospital, she delivered her baby on a roadside near Aloosa, family members claimed.
The incident sparked public outrage, with residents questioning how a woman who had been kept under observation in the labour room could be discharged shortly before childbirth.
Locals also referred to a recent case in which another woman reportedly delivered a baby in an ambulance, alleging shortcomings in maternal healthcare services in the district.
Residents and members of civil society have demanded a high-level inquiry into the latest incident and sought accountability if any negligence is established.
The Medical Superintendent of District Hospital Bandipora said the matter would be examined.
"I will look into the matter and ascertain the facts. Appropriate action will be taken if any negligence is found," the official said.
High-Level Inquiry Already Constituted to Probe Woman's Death at GMC Rajouri
It is important to mention that the Jammu and Kashmir Government has already constituted a high-level inquiry committee to conduct a detailed investigation into the recent death of a patient at the Government Medical College (GMC) and Associated Hospital, Rajouri.
The committee has been tasked with carrying out a fair, objective, and transparent examination of the circumstances that led to the patient's death.
The three-member panel will be headed by Prof. (Dr.) Pramod Kalsotra, Principal of Government Medical College, Udhampur, as Chairperson. Other members include Prof. (Dr.) Abdul Gani from the Department of Orthopaedics, Government Medical College Jammu, and Dr. Narinder Bhutial, Medical Superintendent of Government Gandhi Nagar Hospital, Jammu.
The committee has been directed to examine all facts and circumstances surrounding the incident, scrutinise the allegations raised by the family of the deceased, and review whether the treatment protocols adopted by the attending medical staff adhered to prescribed clinical guidelines.
It will also determine whether any negligence, omission, or deviation from standard medical practices occurred in the case and fix responsibility, if any, for lapses in preparedness, medical intervention, and service delivery.
Besides recommending corrective measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents, the panel has been asked to submit a detailed report, along with documentary evidence, to the Administrative Department within weeks of the issuance of the order.
Nusrat Jahan, a pregnant woman from Kotranka, died at Government Medical College (GMC) Rajouri following a severe adverse reaction allegedly caused by a restricted injection that had not been reviewed before administration. The injection was reportedly administered by evening-duty staff after a successful Caesarean delivery. The incident triggered widespread protests, led to the suspension of two medical staffers, and prompted a high-level government inquiry.
