Jamshedpur: Deputy Commissioner of Seraikela-Kharsawan, Nitish Kumar, has ordered a probe into the death of a 29-year-old woman who delivered a stillborn baby with the procedure allegedly conducted under mobile torchlight at the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Rajnagar on April 30.
Probe Team to Investigate Incident
Civil Surgeon Dr. Saryu Prasad Singh, who heads the probe team, stated that they will visit the CHC on Monday to investigate the incident. Quoting CHC officials, Singh noted that the newborn died in the womb after the umbilical cord got wrapped around its neck, while excessive blood loss led to the mother’s death.
“We will investigate the causes of death cited by the CHC officials and examine whether the health centre possessed necessary medical equipment for a safe delivery at the time,” he said.
Power Outage During Delivery
Singh further explained that a thunderstorm snapped the CHC’s power supply and damaged the solar panels, forcing doctors to perform the delivery by torchlight. Binita Banra, an accredited social health activist (Asha) and resident of Hatisirng village under Rajnagar block, was admitted to the CHC on April 30 for the birth of her third child.
Sources said that when her labour pain intensified, she was moved to the labour room; however, a power outage occurred with gusty winds damaging the solar panels.
Family Alleges Negligence
“The mother and child died due to a lack of immediate medical attention when their condition worsened, as the doctor arrived too late,” alleged Binita’s husband, Durgacharan Banra. He claimed his wife and child would have survived if doctors were present and has sought action against officials responsible for the death of his mother and baby.
The probe team will examine the sequence of events and the availability of medical equipment at the CHC during the incident.
