Pregnant woman dies at Faridabad hospital; family says bill inflated

Faridabad, January 11

A 32-week pregnant woman died allegedly due to complications after giving birth to a stillborn at Faridabad's Asian Hospital.

The family has alleged medical negligence and are demanding an investigation. To add to their woes, the family was handed over a bill of Rs 18 lakh for a 22-day treatment.

The woman's parents said that after three days of admission at the hospital's ICU, doctors diagnosed her with typhoid and shifted her out to the general ward.

The woman's father, Sitaram, said, "My daughter complained of stomach pain in the next morning. The doctors came in the morning and checked her. They then told me that she was seven months pregnant. I told the doctors that they should deliver the baby now. But, they told me that it was only a case of stomach pain and said that they would give injections to stop the delivery of the baby."

When the family members insisted, the doctors operated on the woman, she gave birth to a stillborn child, claimed the woman's father.

The woman's father also alleged that the hospital demanded six lakh rupees from him, even as he had paid over 10 lakhs to the hospital for the treatment.

The hospital authorities, however, refuted the claims of alleged medical negligence.

Dr Ramesh Chandna, the Chairman Quality and Safety of Asian Hospital, said, "She was 32-week pregnant and had fever for 8-10 days. We suspected typhoid and began treatment in the ICU. Unfortunately, her child couldn't survive. We found she had a perforated intestine. We closely monitored her condition. A surgery was done, but sadly, we couldn't save her." On being asked about the claims of inflated food bill, Dr Chandana clarified, "It wasn't required to give her food. She was being given IV drips and fluids for her condition to stabilise. I don't know how this happened. All billing works are done here and are cross-checked as well." ANI