No medical malpractice in death of mother and unborn child, claims hospital

KOZHIKODE: Officials from Malabar Medical College have denied allegations of medical malpractice in the tragic deaths of 35-year-old Aswathi and her unborn child. According to hospital authorities, an uncontrolled increase in Aswathi’s blood pressure was a significant complication that led to the unfortunate outcome.

Aswathi, wife of Vivek, passed away today, while the baby had already died on Thursday morning. The family has since accused the hospital of negligence, filing a formal complaint with the Atholi police. In response, the police have registered a case of unnatural death.

Aswathi had been admitted to the hospital on the 7th of this month for delivery. When labor did not progress naturally, medication was administered. However, when there was no change, additional medication was given on Wednesday. Contractions began in the afternoon, intensifying by nightfall. At this point, Aswathi requested a caesarean section, but the doctor insisted that the delivery would proceed normally.

Reports suggest that Aswathi’s cries of pain were audible to those nearby. Later, her family saw her being wheeled away on a stretcher, after which they were informed by the hospital that the baby had died due to uterine rupture. The hospital also conveyed that Aswathi’s life was in danger unless her uterus was removed. Despite the family’s consent to the procedure, her condition deteriorated and she was placed on a ventilator.

The family alleges that the doctor refused to perform a caesarean section despite their repeated requests. Hospital officials have stated that further information will only be available after a 48-hour observation period.