Sundargarh: In a crackdown on alleged medical negligence, the Sundargarh administration has barred a government obstetrician-gynaecologist from private practice and ordered the temporary closure of his nursing facility following a serious incident during a Caesarean section that left a pregnant woman with critical burn injuries on her private parts and thighs.
The incident took place at New Life Multi-Specialty Hospital in Sundargarh town, which is being run by Dr Pushpamitra Bhitria, posted at District Headquarters Hospital (DHH). The move followed a detailed inquiry, which confirmed lapses at the facility.
According to sources, Sonali Satpathy (30) underwent a C-section on April 10 at the private hospital, assisted by Dr Bhitria and AYUSH doctor Manoranjan Das. She delivered a baby boy and was discharged on April 14. Family members later discovered burn injuries on her private parts and thighs concealed under bandages. The doctors reportedly failed to inform the family immediately about the complications.
As the injuries worsened, Sonali’s husband, Ashish Panda (35), confronted the medical team. The doctors allegedly admitted that the burns resulted from an accidental explosion of a diathermy (electrosurgical) device used for cutting during the procedure, possibly ignited by disinfectant spirit applied to the skin due to a short circuit.
On May 15, Sonali filed a formal complaint with the police and the Chief District Medical and Public Health Officer (CDM&PHO), Dr Suresh Cchandra Mohanty. A three-member committee investigated the matter and submitted its report on Wednesday, identifying shortcomings at the private facility.
Acting on the findings, authorities issued orders under the Clinical Establishments Act for the temporary closure of New Life Multi-Specialty Hospital, effective from June 11. “The hospital has been given one week to shift or discharge its remaining patients. Additionally, Dr Bhitria’s No Objection Certificate (NOC) for private practice has been withdrawn,” Mohanty told the media.
He clarified that Dr Bhitria would continue his duties at the District Headquarters Hospital. The health administration has recommended a departmental inquiry against AYUSH doctor Manoranjan Das through the National Health Mission (NHM) for appropriate disciplinary action.
Mohanty described the incident as resulting from a short circuit in the electrosurgical device, with the applied spirit likely contributing to the fire. Sonali is still recuperating from the burn injuries and needs to undergo skin grafting or plastic surgery, the sources added.
