5 Maternal deaths in Nilofer hospital in Hyderabad

The Nilofer hospital is rocked by five maternal deaths, in less than a week, all occurring few hours after caesarean section(post-operatively),causing closure of Operation theatre. The quick deaths since the 28^th of January points to the likely cause of death on spurious batch of medicines/ intravenous fluids(as in Sarojini devi Eye hospital last year) or contamination of the Operation theatre.

Probe ordered

Chaos and confusion has marked the hospital since the maternal deaths. The state government has set up a three-man committee to establish the cause of death. On Monday, relatives of one of the patients, Nusrat Begum, held a protest at the hospital and alleged medical negligence.

The Telangana DME( Director of Medical Education), M. Ramani stated that only an expert committee can establish the cause of death after detailed evaluation.“The committee has gone into all the details to determine the cause. The operation theatres were shut on Sunday. Swabs were taken for testing to detect possible contamination and fumigation was done,” she said.

Nilofer hospital is a very busy maternal and child care hospital. During the last 10 days, more than 50 women delivered through caesarean section in the hospital’s two operating theatres. Meanwhile cases are being referred to Government Maternity hospital in Petlaburz.