Tension gripped the Regional Hospital in Kullu on Sunday night after the death of a 23-year-old woman who had delivered a baby girl via Caesarean section just a day earlier. The deceased’s family, alleging negligence by hospital staff, staged a protest on the premises, prompting police intervention to restore order. The incident has raised concerns over maternal healthcare services and emergency medical protocols in the region.
According to reports, the deceased was identified as Rajni Sharma, wife of Satish Sharma and a resident of Shanaru village in the Balichowki area of Mandi district. She had undergone a C-section at the Kullu Regional Hospital on June 20 and had given birth to a healthy baby girl.
Following the delivery, Rajni was kept under medical observation and continued receiving post-operative care. However, on Sunday, her condition reportedly deteriorated suddenly while she was in the labour room. Despite efforts by attending doctors, she could not be revived and was declared dead.
On receiving news of her death, her family members and relatives rushed to the hospital. Grief-stricken and angered, they alleged negligence on the part of the hospital staff, claiming that adequate care was not provided.
The situation escalated as the family staged a protest within the hospital premises, raising slogans against the administration. The demonstration created a tense atmosphere for several hours and disrupted normal hospital operations.
A police team reached the spot following the unrest and worked to calm the agitated family members. Officials held discussions with both the hospital administration and the relatives. After sustained efforts, the situation was brought under control and the protest was called off.
The tragic incident has left the newborn without maternal care and plunged the family into deep mourning. The family has reportedly refused permission for a post-mortem examination. A police official confirmed that necessary legal formalities were being completed in connection with the case.
The incident has sparked wider concern over the quality of emergency and maternal healthcare services in government hospitals. While the family has raised serious allegations of negligence, the hospital administration has not yet issued an official statement regarding the cause of death.
The case underscores the vulnerability of patients in high-risk medical situations and highlights the need for greater accountability, transparency and strengthened care systems to ensure the safety of mothers and newborns.
