A private hospital in Puthur, Trichy, has been temporarily barred from admitting in-patients following an official inquiry into five maternal deaths reported between 2021 and 2025. The district administration initiated the action after identifying delays in diagnosis, gaps in clinical management, and inadequate critical care infrastructure. The suspension aims to ensure compliance with established maternal healthcare standards and to address systemic deficiencies linked to preventable maternal deaths.
A private hospital in Puthur, Trichy, Tamil Nadu, has been temporarily barred from admitting in-patients after an official review found serious deficiencies in maternal care following five maternal deaths reported between 2021 and 2025. The suspension was imposed by the district administration in January 2026 after an inquiry into repeated adverse outcomes at the facility.
The administrative action followed the death of a 30-year-old woman in November 2025 after she developed complications following a caesarean section. Allegations of medical negligence raised by the woman’s family led to protests and prompted district health authorities to initiate a formal investigation.
In response, the district collector ordered an inquiry committee in late 2025. The committee was led by the Special District Revenue Officer and included obstetric and surgical specialists from Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital, Trichy. The panel reviewed medical records and clinical timelines related to five maternal deaths, including two cases in 2021, one in 2024, and two in 2025.
The committee held multiple review meetings between November and December 2025 to assess whether standard clinical protocols and infrastructure requirements were followed.
The inquiry report documented repeated clinical lapses, including delayed identification of pregnancy-related complications, inadequate management during critical periods, and delayed escalation of care.
Significant infrastructure gaps were also noted. The hospital lacked an intensive care unit with ventilator support and did not ensure round-the-clock availability of qualified medical staff, both of which are essential for managing obstetric emergencies and post-operative complications.
Health authorities noted that the hospital had received government advisories since 2021 instructing it to strengthen high-risk pregnancy care, improve infection control, and align with established maternal health protocols. The inquiry concluded that these directives were not adequately implemented, despite repeated warnings.
Based on these findings, officials issued a show-cause notice in December 2025, followed by an order suspending in-patient admissions for one month.
The suspension order requires the hospital to undertake corrective measures, including structured training programs for doctors and nursing staff and full implementation of the inquiry committee’s recommendations. Authorities stated that in-patient services may resume only after compliance is verified through inspection.
Maternal mortality is a key indicator of health system performance. The Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) measures maternal deaths per 100,000 live births during pregnancy or within 42 days of delivery. India has reduced its MMR from 130 in 2014–16 to approximately 97 in 2018–20, largely through expanded institutional deliveries and improved emergency obstetric services.1
Despite national progress, preventable causes such as haemorrhage, hypertensive disorders, sepsis, and post-surgical complications remain leading contributors to maternal deaths when timely diagnosis, skilled care, and critical care support are unavailable.2
References
Press Information Bureau. 2025. “India’s Success in Reducing Maternal Mortality.” Government of India, March 21, 2025. Accessed January 6, 2026. https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2113800.
National Health Mission. 2022. Maternal Near Miss Review: Operational Guidelines. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. Accessed January 6, 2026. https://nhm.gov.in/images/pdf/programmes/maternal-health/guidelines/Maternal_Near_Miss_Operational_Guidelines.pdf.
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