'Sivapriya did not have fever when she was discharged, gave her all possible treatment'; SAT authorites respond

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The SAT Hospital authorities have issued a clarification in the case of Sivapriya, a native of Karikkakom, who died due to a post-delivery infection. SAT Hospital Superintendent Dr Bindu said that during the days she was under treatment at the hospital, both Sivapriya and her baby had no health issues. She was discharged only after confirming through tests that she was healthy.

Sivapriya had been referred to SAT Hospital on October 19 from another hospital because the fetal movements had reduced. As she had completed 37 weeks of pregnancy, the doctors decided to proceed with delivery. She was given the necessary medication and treatment, and she delivered the baby on the 22nd.

She was discharged on the 24th. But on the 26th, she returned to the hospital with a fever and diarrhoea. Tests confirmed that she was in septic shock. A medical board coordinated her treatment, and she was admitted to a multidisciplinary ICU for specialised care. However, her condition continued to worsen. She died on Sunday at 11:50 a.m.

The superintendent added that 20 to 30 deliveries take place in the hospital every day. On the 22nd, the day Sivapriya delivered, there were 17 deliveries, and no health problems were reported in any of those cases.

Earlier, the family had alleged that Sivapriya died due to an infection caused by medical negligence after delivery at SAT Hospital.

“She had no health issues at all. She walked in for the delivery. When she was discharged, she already had a slight fever. They did not examine her properly before sending her home. The next day her fever increased, so we returned to the hospital. After examining her, they said the stitches had broken. If the stitches had broken, wouldn’t she have been in pain? They called me only after she felt dizzy. Until then, she had been talking normally. After that, she became weaker day by day. Later, she was put on a ventilator. Yesterday, they inserted a feeding tube, and after that, she never opened her eyes. The infection came from the hospital, I have the report with me,” her husband said.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Veena George has ordered an inquiry into the incident following the young woman’s death. A special team will conduct the investigation and submit a report within two days. The directive has been issued to the Director of Medical Education.