Duty doctor missing, baby dies after nurse-assisted delivery

Sources said P Kanimozhi (28) was rushed to the Vadagur primary health centre late on Thursday evening after she developed a labour pain. 

However, the pregnant woman was made to wait for a long time as the duty doctor Sivakami Sundari had not arrived.

Around 1.30 am on Friday, the pain intensified leading to Kanimozhi losing her consciousness. The nurses on duty then decided to assist the woman in delivery. However, the baby girl died soon after the delivery. 

On hearing the incident, the relatives of Kanimozhi led by her husband Prakash assembled in front of the PHC and staged a demonstration. 

They demanded action against the doctor for not reporting to work and the nurses whom they claimed did not have not proper knowledge.

The villagers of Vadagur also joined the relatives of Kanimozhi and besieged the PHC.

After being alerted, a police team led by Orathanadu Sub-Inspector Bharathidasan rushed to the spot and held talks with the agitators.

During their inquiry with the PHC nurses, police found that Sivakami Sundari, who was informed about the arrival of Kanimozhi, had met with an accident while she was on her way to the PHC. 

She was admitted to a private hospital in Thanjavur.

Later, while speaking to reporters, Prakash claimed that doctors at the PHC were regularly absent even when emergency cases come to the centre.