Himachal: Woman’s death after surgery sparks protest at Arki hospital

Seema, a resident of Chunari village, had been admitted to the hospital on Wednesday for the procedure. According to her husband, Hansraj Gautam, her condition deteriorated during surgery and she was referred to Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital, Shimla. The family rushed her to Shimla within 45 minutes, but claimed doctors there declared that she had died nearly three hours earlier.

The deceased’s relatives alleged that excessive blood loss during surgery led to her death and staged a protest outside the hospital, demanding action against the doctors concerned.

Block Medical Officer Dr Mukta Rastogi said an inquiry committee had been constituted to investigate the matter and further action would be taken based on its findings.

Meanwhile, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dhani Ram Shandil triggered another controversy with his remark that “when people don’t drink water they are bound to die.”