Anantnag: The death of a pregnant woman in south Kashmir whose Covid-19 test turned out positive has triggered fears that another hotspot of the disease may emerge in Anantnag district.
There have been allegations that the Anantnag Maternity and Childcare Hospital, where the 32-year old woman pregnant with twins died on Saturday, did not follow the proper protocol as they handed over the body to her family before the test result came as a result of which a large number of people attended her funeral at Larnoo Anantnag. The test result came late Sunday, hours after she was buried.
According to reports, over 100 people took part in her funeral besides dozens of ladies were present at her residence and gave her burial bath.
As per the standard operating procedures (SOPS), the pregnant women in red zones shall be enlisted and they shall be managed at health centres established in red and buffer zones.
According to SOP, all the asymptomatic pregnant women shall be tested one week before the expected date of delivery (EDD) using rapid antibody tests. However the hospital authorities have failed to set up an isolation facility for the expecting mothers coming from red zones at MCH Anantnag, there by risking the lives of patients as well as attendants.
A doctor, requesting anonymity that the deceased lady wasn’t kept in isolation ward and she came in contact with dozens of patients and attendants.
“She was taken to labour room but before treating her, doctors and paramedical staff had to literally beg for safety gears, he said, adding that no SOP was followed as her samples for covid-19 should have been taken before seven days whether she was symptomatic or asymptomatic.
“The medical staff and attendants were worried as swabs of pregnant lady were taken for testing after her death,” the doctor said. “The medical staff is in complete shock since her tests came positive.”
Soon after allegations, an inquiry committee was constituted and asked to submit its report within three days. Officials sources said that despite knowing that she is from red zone area and taking her samples for covid-19 testing, body was handed over to family for last rites.
They said authorities should have kept her body in a mortuary till her covid report would have come. “As per the WHO guidelines, all pregnant women who visit hospital have to be treated as covid-19 probable and this lady was from the red zone and made her more suspected,” said another doctor.
Principal Government Medical College Dr Showkat Jeelani said that three doctors, two nurses and few medicos were immediately asked to go for home quarantine after the death of lady.
He further claimed that the lady was presumed as covid-19 patient and was buried as per WHO guidelines. Asked that there was an evidence that hundreds of people have participated in her last rites, he said: “We too have reports that few of her relatives have took part in her funeral. We have rushed a team there to trace her all possible contacts.” (KNO)
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