JAIPUR/UDAIPUR: A 19-year-old woman from Rishabhdev in Udaipur district died Thursday within 24 hours of delivering a stillborn baby at Maternal-Child Hospital (MCH) of Dungarpur Medical College, prompting protests by her family on the hospital premises.The woman, identified as Lalita Meena, had been undergoing treatment at the govt hospital when she delivered a stillborn baby Wednesday. After her death, family members alleged negligence by doctors and hospital staff and initially prevented authorities from shifting her body to the mortuary. Officers from Kotwali police station responded to the scene after a complaint was made and eventually persuaded the family to allow the body to be sent for post-mortem.Lalita Meena, a resident of Sulai Aankdi, Kherwara, in Udaipur district, had been staying at her parental home in Garasia Fala, Rishabhdev, during pregnancy. When she went into labour Wednesday, her family first took her to a private clinic in Kherwara, from where she was referred to Dungarpur Medical College’s hospital. After admission to MCH, she delivered a stillborn baby. The newborn’s body was kept in the mortuary, while Lalita’s treatment continued. She died Thursday morning.Her attendant, Jyotsana, alleged inadequate care. “Lalita died because of negligence by the hospital. We demand action against the staff involved,” she said.The hospital administration denied negligence and constituted a five-member inquiry committee to investigate the death.Additional controller of MCH, Dungarpur, Dr Kostubh Singh said the case involved intrauterine fetal demise. “After the stillbirth, the woman’s health was fine. Clinically, she was stable and maintaining haemoglobin at 9 gm/dl. During the night, she complained of seizures. In the morning, the family insisted on discharge, but we refused,” Dr Singh told TOI.According to him, the family took her out against medical advice. “We have records of LAMA (leave against medical advice). While they were taking her outside, she again complained of seizures. The family brought her back to MCH. We tried to stabilise her and administered CPR, but despite all efforts, she could not be saved,” Dr Singh said.Dungarpur Medical College has also written to police seeking legal action against a patient attendant, identified as Dinesh, for allegedly misbehaving with and attempting to physically assault a doctor on duty.The complaint was filed by Dr Abhidha Panchal, an MBBS junior resident in the department of gynaecology and obstetrics, regarding an incident alleged to have occurred inside the hospital around Thursday noon.In her complaint, Dr Panchal alleged that Dinesh misbehaved with her while she was on duty, approached her from behind and attempted to physically attack or touch her, accusing him of harassment and intimidation.The medical college urged police to take appropriate legal action to prevent such incidents and ensure a safe working environment at the hospital.
