Absence of doctors leads to death of foetus;BMO Kishtwar suspended; 2 doctors terminated

 VIVEK SHARMA
JAMMU: Callousness of doctors cost yet another life when Sushma Devi, 24 was brought to Atholi Hospital in Kishtwar with half of the body of baby out of birth canal and head stuck up. The patient was made to wait for two crucial hours as three doctors, after having marked attendance, had left the hospital. Later, the patient in critical condition was shifted to District Hospital, Kishtwar.
The BMO Kishtwar Dr Shafat Javed has been placed under suspension while services of two doctors have been terminated.
After two hours of reporting at hospital, a lady ISM doctor, and a female health worker tried their level best to conduct the delivery. However, dead foetus was delivered.
Family members of Sushma Devi later brought doctors’ negligence to the notice of Health Minister Bali Bhagat, who immediately ordered inquiry.
Talking to STATE TIMES, Bali Bhagat said Chief Medical Officer  (CMO) Kishtwar has been asked to conduct immediate inquiry and report at an earliest.”
Bali Bhagat said that upon receiving report from the CMO this morning, who visited Government Hospital Atholi (Paddar) late Saturday night, the BMO Dr Shafat Javed under suspension.”
After filing of detailed inquiry report this evening, services of other two doctors, who were appointed under National Health Mission (NHM), were terminated or being absent from duty, Bali added.
The CMO’s preliminary report stated, “Dr Shafat Javed BMO Athoili Paddar had marked ‘D’ on the attendance register on June 4, 2016 and during enquiry he told the enquiry officer that he had gone to Kishtwar for official work and had returned back in the evening.
However, the CMO noticed over writing in the attendance register in the columns from 24th May to 30th May, 2016 and from 1st June, 2016 to 3rd June, 2016. On the evening of 4th June, when Sushma Devi was brought to hospital in serious condition, as per duty roaster two doctors Dr Asfia Fatima MBBS (NHM) and Dr Rakesh Kotwal (ISM NHM) were supposed to be on duty. But Dr Asfia Fatima had been shown on casual leave on 4th June and Dr Rakesh Kotwal, who despite marking attendance was absent from duty. After two hour long wait, Dr Arti (ISM) and Kamesh Devi, Female Health Worker conducted delivery but dead foetus was delivered. Later, angry family members brought the matter into the notice of Health Minister. BMO Dr Shafat has been attached with the CMO Kishtwar while the services of Dr Afisa Fatima and Dr Rakesh Kotwal were terminated.Meanwhile, Dr Sumitra Devi, Medical Officer DH Kishtwar and Kirna Devi Staff Nurse DH Kishtwar have been posted at Atholi (Paddar).