Kottayam maternal death: Post-Mortem conducted as family demands high-level inquiry

KOTTAYAM / ALAPPUZHA: A 27-year-old woman died during childbirth at the Kottayam Medical College Hospital on Monday, prompting her family to file formal complaints alleging medical negligence. The deceased has been identified as Pheba Jose, wife of Aneesh, residing at Pollayil House in Omanappuzha, Alappuzha.

While the mother passed away, her newborn baby girl was delivered via emergency surgery. The infant is currently on ventilator support due to breathing complications.

According to the family, Pheba was admitted to the hospital on Sunday. Although she began experiencing labor pains by Sunday evening, the family alleges that hospital staff failed to provide timely attention. She was eventually moved to the delivery room late at night.

By early Monday morning, doctors informed the family that an emergency Cesarean section was required. Hospital authorities later explained that Pheba suffered a fatal cardiac arrest during the procedure. However, her relatives contend that the delay in deciding to perform the surgery and general professional lapses led to her death.

Pheba had been receiving prenatal care at the Women and Children’s Hospital in Alappuzha. She was referred to Kottayam Medical College in her fifth month of pregnancy after doctors suspected an intestinal swelling in the fetus.

This was Pheba’s second pregnancy; she is survived by her husband and a seven-year-old son, Aidan.

A post-mortem examination was conducted by a three-member panel of doctors at Kottayam Medical College. Her body will be brought to her residence tomorrow morning for public viewing, followed by a funeral service at the Kalarcode United Pentecostal Fellowship Cemetery at 11:30 AM.

Investigations Underway

The Principal of Kottayam Medical College, Dr. Varghese P. Punnoose, has ordered an immediate internal inquiry. A multidisciplinary team comprising the heads of Gynaecology, Cardiology, Forensic Medicine, Pediatrics, and General Medicine has been formed to submit a preliminary report.

In addition to the hospital’s internal probe:

• The District Medical Officer (DMO) will lead a government-level inspection this afternoon.
• The family has submitted formal complaints to the Chief Minister, the Director General of Police (DGP), the Hospital Superintendent, and the Kottayam Police.