ANANTNAG: No standard operating procedures were followed in treating a pregnant lady of Kharpora, Kokernag in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district,who was tested positive for Covid- 19, a day after her death.
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.
Besides that 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, told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that deceased, the wife of Javid Ahmad, a resident of Kharpora Kokernag, who died along with twins at MCH Anantnag 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.”
Pertinently, soon after her death, her family members alleged that doctors were hesitant to treat her as she was from red zone area which lead to her death along with twins.
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.
Locals from Kharpora, Kokernag also said that at least 100 persons took part in her funeral besides dozens of ladies were present at her residence and gave her burial bath.
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.”
To query about the fate of inquiry, he said that the process is on and once it will be completed, details will be shared. “If anybody is found involved in negligence, action will be taken,” he said.