All cabins and ordinary rooms at the maternal ward have been locked for the last 10 days after the relatives of Rita Roy, of Kerabari VDC in Morang district, who died shortly after having cesarean at the zonal hospital on October 16, protested “negligence” by the doctors. They were not ready to receive Rita´s dead body for the first two days, demanding compensation and strict actions against the guilty.[break]
As doctors complained of insecurity, Dr Yogendra Mishra, who is in-charge of the maternal ward, unilaterally decided to halt all maternity services at the zonal hospital. Dr Mishra had referred all patients to other hospitals before shutting down the maternal ward. As the maternal ward remains closed, women expecting babies are forced to visit expensive private hospitals and clinics.
It is learnt that Dr Mishra closed the maternity ward without consent from Dr SN Jha, medical superintendent at the zonal hospital and Baleshwor Kamat, chairman of the hospital development committee. Dr Jha and Kamat both are putting pressure on Dr Mishra to reopen the maternal ward, according to informed sources. However, Dr Mishra has so far managed to brush aside all the pressures.
When contacted, Dr Mishra avoided talking to Republica. "I am busy in a meeting. I will talk to you later," he said, before disconnecting the phone.
Although Rita´s operation was mainly conducted by Dr Yam Bahadur Shrestha, Dr Sangita Ghimire has also been accused of negligence in the same case. Dr Ghimire has taken a leave on the pretext of participating in a training program following the controversy.
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