Woman dies after tubectomy goes wrong in Odisha’s Bhadrak

Bhadrak: In a tragic incident reeking of gross medical negligence, a woman reportedly died following a faulty tubectomy operation at a government-run family planning camp at a community health centre (CHC) in Odisha’s Bhadrak district. The deceased was identified as Jayanti Bej, daughter of one Hrusikesh Bej of Rauturapur within Agarpada police limits in the district. While she succumbed during treatment at Cuttack’s SCB Medical College and Hospital two days back, her father placed her body before Bhadrak Collector’s office and demanded justice, attributing his daughter’s death to medical negligence.

As per reports, Jayanti had married Jashobant Barik of Oupada Gadasahi, two years back. The couple has a son. A few days back, Jayanti had gone to her father’s place along with her son when an ASHA worker Satyabhama Mallik and her husband suggested her to undergo tubectomy at the family planning camp held by the government at Barapada CHC. She complied and got the surgery done on July 25. However, after returning home that night, Jayanti’s stomach swelled up and she started suffering from breathing difficulty, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. She was immediately rushed to the hospital at Agarpada and then to the district headquarters hospital (DHH) where doctors reportedly informed that her urinary tract had been severed during tubectomy. As her condition deteriorated, Jayanti was shifted to SCB MCH in Cuttack but succumbed during treatment at around 11 am on July 27.

Following her death, family members alleged that her urinary tract was severed during tubectomy as the operation was carried out in dark due to power cut.

“My sister was taken by an ASHA didi and her husband to a family planning camp. During the surgery there was a power cut and the doctor on duty told her that she may suffer discomfort and if the pain persists, should go to Cuttack. She, however, came back home but the same night, her stomach started swelling and she  complained of vomiting, nausea and breathing problem. We first took her to Agarpada hospital and then to DHH but the doctors there told us that her urinary tract had been severed and asked to shift her to Cuttack. In Cuttack, the doctor who attended to my sister told us that anything can happen within 24 hours. Hours later, she succumbed,” said the brother of the deceased Kshirod Bej.

Contacted, Bhadrak chief district medical officer (CDMO) Santosh Patra refuted allegations of medical negligence and the woman’s urinary tract being severed during the surgery . “As many as 28 sterilisations were carried out that day. The doctor who had come to the camp is an experienced medical professional and has done many such operations. Water had accumulated in her stomach which is why she was sent to Cuttack. We will be able to know what exactly happened to the woman after the postmortem report arrives,” he added.

Meanwhile, the family members of the deceased have filed a police complaint in this regard.