Himachal Doctor Suspended After Patient Death in Una
Dr. Priyanka Sharma suspended in Una after a 33-year-old woman died during delivery and the doctor allegedly went missing from duty.
The Himachal Pradesh government has taken swift action by suspending Dr. Priyanka Sharma, a medical officer at the Regional Hospital in Una, following the tragic death of a patient and the doctor's subsequent disappearance from her duties. The incident has sparked significant concern regarding medical negligence and professional conduct at the facility.
Tragedy During Delivery
The victim has been identified as Reena Devi, a 33-year-old resident of Upper Arniala village in the Kotla Kalan area of Una district. According to official reports, Reena Devi was admitted to the Regional Hospital on October 7, expecting to undergo delivery. However, the situation turned fatal when she passed away on October 9, two days after her admission.
Allegations of Absconding from Duty
The circumstances surrounding the doctor's behavior following the patient's death have added a layer of controversy to the tragedy. The hospital administration noted that Dr. Sharma, who served in the Obstetrics and Gynaecology (OBG) department, allegedly failed to report for duty once the incident occurred.
The gravity of the situation escalated when the Medical Superintendent formed an inquiry committee, led by Senior Medical Officer Dr. Vikas Chauhan, to investigate the death. The committee's findings were hampered by Dr. Sharma's actions:
- Failure to Appear: The doctor reportedly failed to appear before the committee for the preliminary inquiry.
- Unreachable: Both of her mobile phones were switched off, making it impossible for officials to contact her.
- Unauthorized Absence: She remained absent from her post immediately following the incident.
Immediate Suspension and Inquiry
Citing the extreme seriousness of the case and the potential for a law-and-order crisis at the hospital due to public outcry, the state government issued an immediate suspension order. The action was taken under Rule 10(1) of the Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1965.
As part of the disciplinary measures, the following conditions have been imposed on Dr. Sharma:
- Her headquarters have been officially moved to the Directorate of Health Services in Shimla for the duration of her suspension.
- She is strictly prohibited from leaving the headquarters without obtaining prior official permission.
The inquiry committee has been tasked with submitting its comprehensive report within three days. The findings of this investigation will be crucial in determining the exact circumstances that led to Reena Devi's death and whether medical negligence played a role.