Scissors Found in Ashes at Funeral Pyre Spark Outcry
On Thursday, during rituals, when the family members were collecting the ashes from the funeral pyre, they found the surgical scissors reportedly used during the delivery procedure
NALGONDA: A pair of surgical scissors found in the ashes of a woman’s cremation has triggered allegations of medical negligence in Bhadradri‑Kothagudem district. The woman, Datla Vanaja, had died at a government hospital after a stillborn delivery.
Vanaja, of Shambunigudem in Gundala mandal, was admitted to the Gundala primary healthcare centre (PHC) on Sunday with labour pains. Relatives said no doctor was present and an auxiliary nurse midwife conducted the delivery. The infant was stillborn, and Vanaja, bleeding heavily, was shifted first to Yellandu community health centre (CHC) and then to Khammam Government General Hospital, where she died on Monday.
During funeral rites in Shambunigudem, relatives collecting ashes were shocked to find a surgical instrument among them. Doctors told her family that no C‑section had been performed, insisting it was impossible for scissors to have been left inside her body.
Gundala PHC medical officer Dr Sudeep maintained that only a normal delivery was done and expressed ignorance about how the scissors had appeared. Following a complaint, district medical and health officer Dr Tularam Rathod suspended Dr Sudeep, admitting that the ANM had handled the delivery as the lone staffer on duty.
The Telangana Human Rights Commission has issued notice to the DMHO, seeking explanation on the incident and the shortage of staff in PHCs.
