Srinagar, May 23: A woman delivered a baby inside an 108-ambulance moments after being referred from District Hospital (DH) Bandipora to Srinagar today.
The incident has led to allegations of medical negligence, prompting health authorities to order an inquiry.
The woman, identified as Kulsooma Begum, wife of Azad Ahmad Dar of Laharwalpora in Bandipora district, had been taken to DH Bandipora after developing pregnancy-related complications.
According to family members, doctors referred her to Srinagar despite her being in active labour.
They alleged that the woman delivered the baby immediately after the ambulance crossed the hospital’s emergency gate while still within the hospital premises.
The incident triggered protests by the family, who questioned the decision to shift the patient in such a condition and demanded accountability from the hospital administration.
“How can a woman in labour be referred to when she delivered within minutes of leaving the hospital?” a relative asked.
Following the incident, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Bandipora visited the hospital and assured the family that strict action would be taken if negligence was established.
Amid mounting concern over the incident, the Office of the Medical Superintendent, District Hospital Bandipora, issued two separate orders — one constituting an enquiry committee and another seeking written explanations from the doctors concerned.
According to the order issued by Medical Superintendent DH Bandipora, an enquiry committee has been constituted to “ascertain the facts and circumstances” surrounding the delivery that occurred during transit in the ambulance at the hospital’s emergency gate.
The committee has been tasked with conducting a detailed probe into the incident and examining the role and responsibility of the concerned officials and medical staff, if any.
The panel comprises Dr. Javaid Ahmad Bhat, Consultant Physician, as chairman; Dr. Nadeem Ali, Consultant Orthopaedics, as member; Ishtiyaq Ahmad Parray, Head Assistant; Tafazul Yousuf, Accounts Manager; and one representative to be deputed by the Chief Medical Officer Bandipora.
The committee has been directed to submit a detailed report along with findings and recommendations within three days from the issuance of the order. All concerned officials and staff have been instructed to cooperate with the inquiry.
In a separate order, the hospital administration sought explanations from Dr. Fency Bulbul, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, and Dr. Bazillah, Medical Officer, regarding the handling of the case.
The order stated that it had become necessary to seek clarification from the on-duty doctors regarding their “role and responsibilities” in connection with the matter.
Both doctors have been directed to furnish separate written explanations clearly detailing the circumstances under which the delivery occurred during transit in the ambulance, the actions taken in management of the patient, duties performed, and other relevant details pertaining to patient care during the case.
The doctors have been asked to submit their replies within three days from the issuance of the order, failing which action under relevant service rules may be initiated, the order stated.
