IMA Tumakuru unit holds emergency meeting to discuss death of woman and her twin babies

The president of IMA, Tumakuru, initiated the discussion, those who attended the meeting said. Obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Usha AR, now under suspension, was asked to attend the meeting.

Besides Dr Usha, three staff nurses, Yashoda BY, Savitha and Divya Bharathi, too, have been placed under suspension.

Dr Usha writes to doctors’ body

“Dr Usha, in her statement, explained that she had no role in the death of the pregnant woman and her two babies. Dr Usha said she had finished about eight C-sections that day and was leaving the operation theatre when she saw the woman returning. When asked, the nurses told her that the woman did not want to get admitted and wished to return home,” the doctor said.

Letter written by Dr Usha to the KGMOA President denying deriliction of duty on her part in the Tumakuru pregnant woman’s death case. (Supplied)

Meanwhile, Dr Usha, in a letter to the president of the district unit of the Karnataka Government Medical Officers’ Association (KGMOA), denied any dereliction of duty on her part.

Dr Usha explained that on 2 November, she had worked at the outpatient department and in-patient department from 9 am to 5 pm. The doctor added that she was in the operation theatre from 5.30 pm to 9.30 pm.

“I performed eight back-to-back surgeries and after completing them, I was on my way to the labour room to check on the pregnant women who had been admitted. I saw a pregnant woman and two elderly women walking in the corridor. When I checked with the PG student and the nurse on duty, I was told that the pregnant woman had declined admission and examination,” Dr Usha explained in the letter.

Meet discusses preventive measures

Meanwhile, the IMA also discussed the case’s development. They opined that the doctor in charge should have documented the entire case.

“It is the responsibility of the doctor in charge to either ensure that the lady is convinced and admitted that night itself, or she should have at least documented the case and the woman’s reluctance in getting admitted,” another senior doctor told South First.

The association members also reportedly discussed possible measures to prevent such incidents from repeating and safeguarding doctors and other health professionals.

IMA to write to the government

The doctor’s body has decided to write to state Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar, requesting not to initiate tough measures against the medical fraternity.

Kasturi with her late husband Shakar, and daughter Shankari (File photo/Supplied).

Incidentally, a day after the Tumakuru incident, Dr Sudhakar, himself a doctor, announced the government’s decision to enact a law to protect patients from the high-handedness of health professionals and other personnel in government-run hospitals.

Dr Sudhakar said that the government had decided to pass a law by amending the rules during the forthcoming winter session of the legislature.

“We agree that it is important that doctors and health professionals perform their duties responsibly, but filing criminal cases against them without proper investigation and seeking explanations can hinder their work, besides affecting their morale”, an IMA member told South First.

“It may lead to many professionals hesitating to take up complicated cases. Hence, we will soon be writing to the health minister,” the doctor said.