Chandigarh: The Punjab government has suspended Dr Kavita Sharma, a gynaecologist at the Civil Hospital in Khanna, Ludhiana district, over allegations of dereliction of duty following the death of a newborn girl four days ago. A departmental inquiry has also been initiated against her.
The incident occurred on Monday night when a pregnant woman, Manpreet Kaur, was brought to the hospital for delivery.
The family refused to leave when she was referred to another hospital due to complications. According to officials, Senior Medical Officer (SMO) Dr Maninder Bhasin contacted Dr Sharma, who was on call for delivery duty, but she allegedly refused to come.
Seeing the woman’s condition deteriorating, the SMO, with the help of private and government doctors, performed surgery to save the mother’s life. The newborn was referred to Chandigarh as her condition was critical but died on the way.
Punjab Health Minister, who visited the hospital in Khanna on Friday, said he had directed the civil surgeon to form a three-member inquiry committee immediately after learning about the incident. The probe found negligence on the part of Dr Sharma.
“We do not need such doctors,” the minister said, adding that further investigation will continue and the doctor could also face dismissal.
He said the authorities may consider revoking her medical licence following the inquiry’s outcome.
