A government gynecologist at Nedumangad District Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram has been suspended after a newborn died following a caesarean section triggering protests negligence accusations and bribery allegations.
The Kerala Health Department suspended Dr Bindu Sundar pending a detailed inquiry after the death of a baby delivered to Niranjana 36 a full term pregnant woman. The incident occurred on Tuesday and quickly escalated into public outrage outside the hospital.
Authorities ordered an urgent probe led by a specialist team from SAT Hospital attached to Thiruvananthapuram Medical College. The panel includes experts from pediatrics gynecology and anesthesiology departments.
According to officials and reports:
Niranjana was admitted on Monday after a routine check up advised hospitalization.
She was shifted to the labor room around 4 am Tuesday.
A caesarean section was performed around 2 pm.
The newborn died shortly after delivery and doctors cited respiratory distress as the cause.
Family members alleged the surgery was delayed and claimed the baby could have survived if performed earlier.
Police registered a case of unnatural death under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and conducted inquest proceedings. The body was sent to Thiruvananthapuram Medical College for post mortem examination.
The controversy intensified when the infant’s relatives belonging to a tribal community accused the doctor of demanding money during treatment.
The baby’s father Binil said the family paid 10000 rupees during two visits to the doctor’s private consultation chamber and had to pay separately for scans despite expected benefits.
Following complaints Nedumangad MLA and Civil Supplies Minister G R Anil wrote to Health Minister Veena George requesting suspension. The government then ordered disciplinary action and a formal inquiry.
Health authorities also noted previous complaints against the doctor.
The newborn’s death triggered protests outside Nedumangad District Hospital, where relatives, local residents and political workers gathered demanding action against those responsible. The situation turned tense as hospital authorities faced angry questioning from the crowd.
The Kerala Government Medical Officers Association criticized the reaction against healthcare staff and appealed for calm, stating that responsibility should be determined only after a investigation.
(Rh/ARC)
