A tragic incident has underscored concerns over medical negligence in Uttar Pradesh, after a 34-year-old Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) worker died during childbirth at a private hospital in Sonbhadra district. The family has accused the medical team, including the doctor who performed the C-section, of abandoning the woman with her abdomen left open and fleeing the scene. Police have registered a case against the doctor and a nurse involved in the incident.
The Chenab Times has learned that the incident occurred on the night of May 29, when the ASHA worker, identified as Seema, began experiencing labour pain. Seema, a mother of four daughters, was an ASHA worker dedicated to providing healthcare services in her community. Her untimely death has sent shockwaves through the region, highlighting the risks faced by women during childbirth, particularly in areas with limited access to immediate and quality medical care.
According to the complaint filed by Seema’s husband, Dev Narayan, when her condition worsened on the night of May 29, he rushed her to a government-run Primary Health Centre (PHC). However, he alleged that no doctor was on duty at the PHC. An Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) present at the facility reportedly assessed Seema’s condition as serious and advised Narayan to take her to a private hospital in the Kon area, suggesting she knew the doctors there who could provide better treatment. [4, 15]
The ANM facilitated the referral to a private facility, and Seema was transported there in a government ambulance. Upon arrival at the private hospital, Narayan expressed alarm at its condition, which he described as concerning. [4, 15]
The primary accusation against the medical team, led by Dr. Naseem Ahmad, is that after performing a C-section, they allegedly left Seema’s abdomen unstitched and fled the hospital, leaving her unattended in a critical state. This alleged act of abandonment and gross negligence is at the heart of the police investigation. [4, 15]
Following the death of Seema, the police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Dr. Naseem Ahmad and a nurse named Salma. The FIR has been filed under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including charges related to culpable homicide not amounting to murder and cheating. The police have also invoked relevant sections of the National Medical Commission Act, 2019. [4, 15]
Law enforcement agencies have launched a manhunt to apprehend the accused doctor and nurse, with rewards announced for information leading to their arrest. The private hospital where the incident occurred has been sealed by the authorities, and police are working with the health department to gather all necessary records and details about the facility’s operations. [4]
This incident in Sonbhadra is not an isolated case in Uttar Pradesh, which has seen several reports of alleged medical negligence leading to fatalities. While this article focuses on the Sonbhadra incident, past cases in districts like Ballia have also drawn attention to the need for stricter oversight and accountability in healthcare facilities across the state. [10, 11, 15, 17]
ASHA workers are a crucial link in India’s public health system, serving as community health volunteers who facilitate access to healthcare services, promote preventive care, and support maternal and child health initiatives. Their work often involves high-risk situations, and incidents like this highlight the vulnerability of both the healthcare providers and the patients they serve. [4, 15]
The investigation is ongoing, with police teams actively pursuing leads to apprehend the accused medical professionals. Authorities have stated that exemplary action will be taken against those found guilty, particularly given the allegations that the hospital may have continued to operate despite previous sealing by authorities. [4, 15]
The Chenab Times News Desk