Guwahati: A senior gynaecologist in Assam has been asked to show cause after he performed a staggering 21 C-section (caesarean) operations within a span of 10 hours!
Raising concerns over the health and safety of mothers and newborns, additional district commissioner (Health) of Morigaon district Nitisha Bora served the notice to Dr Kantheswar Bordoloi, a senior medical and health officer at Morigaon Civil Hospital.
The notice pointed out that Dr Bordoloi performed 21 emergency lower segment caesarean section (LSCS) deliveries within ten hours — between 3.40 pm on September 5 and 1.50 am on September 6 — at the hospital’s major operating theatre.
The doctor has been asked to provide details of each case — whether standard operating procedures (SOPs) for sterilisation of surgical instruments were followed, documentation of any fetal distress cases, details of patients admitted to the Sick Neonatal Care Unit (SNCU), and the roles and duties of assisting staff.
“This raises a few serious concerns and hence, in this regard, you are hereby directed to submit a comprehensive report for each of the above-mentioned cases,” the ADC wrote to the doctor.
The notice observed that pre-operative and post-operative notes were not adequately maintained. “Such detailed documentation is imperative for strengthening infection control protocols and for preventing maternal and infant morbidity and mortality,” the notice added.
The doctor, who has been directed to submit his report within three days, defended his actions, saying that he was fully competent to handle multiple surgeries within a limited timeframe.
“What I have done is nothing unusual, and other doctors also perform many surgeries at such a pace. Perhaps someone complained against me,” Dr Bordoloi told mediapersons.
He said that a typical caesarean procedure takes around 25 minutes, but in less complicated cases, it can be completed in about 15 minutes. He further said that the hospital’s operating theatre has two tables, which allows sterilisation to be alternated without compromising safety.
Dr Bordoloi went on to state that 19 of the 21 mothers and infants have been discharged in stable condition, while two remain hospitalised, including one being referred to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital.
“Though this is not a big deal, it is frustrating to face such questions after so many years of service,” he said, hinting that he might resign from government service.