Woman's death due to 'faulty operation' sparks tension at Keonjhar hospital

Tension ran high at a private hospital near Church Square under Town police limits in Keonjhar district after a woman died due to an alleged faulty operation by a doctor on Monday.  Irate family members of the deceased placed the body in front of the hospital and staged a protest.

The deceased has been identified as Pushpalata Mohant, wife of Nalinikant Mohant of the Padua area under Champua police limits. On being informed, local police rushed to the spot and sent the body for autopsy. A probe was launched based on a complaint by the woman’s husband.

According to sources, Nalinikant had admitted his wife to Keonjhar District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) for a tumour operation inside her stomach. However, a group of brokers allegedly lured the couple and got them admitted to a private hospital promising them better treatment.

The private hospital allegedly siphoned off Rs 40,000 from the couple on the false promise of laparoscopy. After taking the money, they performed a faulty operation leading to Pushpalata’s death, the family members alleged.

Demanding stringent action against the brokers and private hospital authorities for luring innocent people, family members of the deceased staged a protest outside the hospital.

“The doctor who was performing the operation, the nurses and those who were taking my wife to Cuttack SCB Medical College and Hospital are the ones who are responsible for her death. After her death, they were convincing me to take my wife’s body,” alleged the deceased’s husband.

On the other hand, the Keonjhar SDPO stated that he had initiated a probe into the incident.

“A man identified as Nalinikant had admitted his wife for treatment. Unfortunately, she died during the treatment. We have launched a probe into the incident,” said SDPO Mahendra Murmu.