Chennai: Government mandates doctors’ presence during deliveries

Chennai: A day after a baby's head was severed from its body during childbirth at a Public Health Centre (PHC) in Koovathur in Chengalpattu, the state's Health Department has issued orders for doctors to be present at all deliveries conducted in Primary Health Centres.

This particular case occurred at an additional PHC, where doctors work from 9 am to 5 pm following which, there are staff nurses on the call. "The nurse who was handling the woman's delivery has conducted several deliveries and is someone qualified to do so," said the Joint Director, Dr. V. K. Palani.

"However, after the incident, all PHCs in the state have been ordered to ensure that a doctor is present during every delivery that is conducted," he added.

While officials have stated that it appeared as though the child had been dead in the womb for around 48 hours, relatives of Ms Bommi are alleging that it was negligence on the part of the hospital staff which led to the incident.  "They stated that there were no doctors present in the hospital and claim that this is the reason that the child died. However, an inquiry is being conducted by a team of officials from the Health Department, consisting of the State Health Secretary and the Deputy Director of Health Services," said the Joint Director.

A post mortem was done by a team of five doctors at the Chengalpattu Government Hospital on Thursday and the baby's body was handed over to the family.

The police said that they are awaiting post mortem reports to determine the cause of the baby's death.