A private hospital in Puthur, Trichy, has been temporarily prohibited from admitting new in-patients following a damning inquiry report that highlighted systemic failures linked to a series of maternal deaths over recent years.
Chronology of Tragic Incidents
The hospital came under intense scrutiny after a pattern of maternal fatalities emerged. Since 2021, there have been five such deaths at the facility. The timeline includes two deaths in 2025, one in 2024, and two back in 2021. The most recent case, which sparked public outrage and protests, involved Jayarani, a 30-year-old woman, who died in November. Her family members staged demonstrations, alleging severe medical negligence by the hospital staff.
Revealing Inquiry and Damning Findings
Acting on the orders of District Collector V Saravanan, a special inquiry committee was formed to investigate all five deaths. The committee was headed by Rajalakshmi R, Special DRO (LA), Highways, and included senior medical experts Dr. Edwina Vasantha, HOD of Surgery at MGMGH, and Dr. Thangathai, HOD of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at MGMGH.
This panel met six times between November and December last year, meticulously examining each case. The inquiry report, accessed by media, uncovered a horrifying catalogue of failures that directly contributed to the tragedies.
Critical Lapses Identified
The committee's findings pointed to multiple, recurring deficiencies in the hospital's operations:
- Lack of early recognition and diagnosis of pregnancy complications.
- Inappropriate medical management of critical cases.
- Poor clinical decision-making at crucial junctures.
- Absence of necessary infrastructure to handle high-risk pregnancies.
- Non-availability of a functional Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with ventilator support.
- No system for round-the-clock presence of qualified doctors.
The report was scathing in its assessment, noting that repeated instructions had been issued to the hospital since 2021. These directives mandated adherence to government protocols for managing high-risk pregnancies, ART treatments, maintaining asepsis (sterility), and upgrading infrastructure. "The institution failed to take necessary steps. This is evident in multiple cases," the report concluded.
Administrative Action and Suspension
Based on the committee's report, Collector V Saravanan issued a show-cause notice to the hospital on December 19. After reviewing the institution's explanation in the first week of January, the district administration took decisive action.
A temporary suspension on all in-patient admissions was imposed. JDHS G C Gopinath confirmed this development. A senior official stated that the suspension would be in effect for one month. The hospital has been directed to immediately conduct continuous medical education programs for its doctors and staff and to fully comply with all recommendations made by the inquiry committee.
"Five deaths cannot be taken lightly, and the frequency with which they occurred points to something unusual," the official emphasized, underscoring the gravity of the situation. The administration's move aims to force immediate corrective measures and prevent further loss of life before the hospital is allowed to resume full operations.
