Pregnant woman dies following alleged medical negligence in Butwal

Butwal. A formal complaint has been filed alleging that a pregnant woman died due to extreme medical negligence at a clinic in Butwal. Police have taken three individuals into custody following the death of Gita Pandey, from Bagnaskali Rural Municipality-2, Palpa, whose health deteriorated during an abortion procedure.

Following Pandey's death on Sunday evening, outraged relatives filed a complaint against five individuals at the Area Police Office, Butwal. The 31-year-old, who was an employee of the Red Cross Society, had traveled to Butwal with her husband for treatment after complications arose with her approximately 12-week pregnancy.

After an initial check-up on Chait 27, she visited Khatri Nursing Home in Butwal for a follow-up on Baishakh 5. Doctors there advised her to seek treatment elsewhere, stating that the abortion could not be performed at their facility. They subsequently went to Zonal Pharmacy Clinic located on Hospital Line.

Upon being told that no doctor was available there, they were referred to the nearby Indulekha Clinic, where the administration of medication caused Pandey's health to deteriorate suddenly.

When her condition became critical, she was rushed to Lumbini City Hospital, where doctors declared her dead upon arrival.

The victim's family claims that her death was caused by the negligence of health workers and clinic operators who referred her from one facility to another and administered medication in an unsafe manner. The deceased's husband is a government officer, and they have a five-year-old child.

According to Deputy Superintendent of Police Nishant Shrivastava, Chief of the Area Police Office, Butwal, Sandhya Basnet of Zonal Health Clinic, Neelam Ghartimagar of Zonal Pharmacy Clinic, and Khagendra Pandey of Indulekha Clinic have been arrested in connection with the incident.

Police are preparing to issue arrest warrants for two others named in the complaint. Authorities have launched a detailed investigation into clinics operating without proper authorization or engaging in negligent medical practices in such a sensitive sector.

Gokul Pandey, a relative of the deceased, has demanded strict action against those responsible, stating that her untimely death was a result of clinics referring patients without taking responsibility and administering unsafe medication. Police stated that further legal proceedings will follow based on the post-mortem report and the statements of those arrested.