Nepal Medical Council suspends doctor following death of pregnant woman in Butwal

Butwal. The Nepal Medical Council has suspended a doctor involved in the death case of a pregnant woman, Gita Pandey, in Butwal. 

Based on the recommendation of an investigation committee, the council decided to suspend Dr. Satish Kumar Rupakheti with immediate effect. According to the council's registrar, Dr. Satish Kumar Deo, the decision was made during a virtual meeting held on Saturday. 

The council has also decided to recommend to the District Administration Office to shut down the health institutions involved in the incident, 'Zonal Pharmacy' and 'Indulekha Health Clinic'. Furthermore, it has been stated that recommendations for action against other health workers involved in the treatment have also been made. 

29-year-old Gita, from Bagnaskali Rural Municipality-2, Palpa, died on Baisakh 6 during a procedure to terminate a pregnancy of approximately 14 weeks. While the family claims the pregnancy was only 12 weeks, the investigation committee's report indicates it was over 13 weeks.

The committee found that both 'Zonal Pharmacy', which provided the abortion medication, and 'Indulekha Health Clinic', which was involved in the final stages, did not have the necessary approvals. The council stated that the suspension was an initial disciplinary action in accordance with the Code of Ethics for Medical Practitioners, 2017. 

According to the council, the current action is in place until the final report is submitted. As criminal charges may also be applicable during the investigation, a final decision will only be made after the report is finalized.
The Medical Council had formed a 6-member investigation committee coordinated by central member Dr. Samrat Parajuli. The committee includes Prof. Dr. Padam Raj Pant, Dr. Rajendra Basyal, Dr. Anup Panthi, Advocate Govinda Prasad Marasini, and journalist Dinesh Pandey. 

In its 26-page report, the committee has suggested taking action against the doctors and health workers, closing the relevant health institutions, strengthening regular monitoring, and registering and regulating illegally operating health institutions. 

The deceased's husband, Prakash Pandey, has filed a formal complaint.

After being told that her pregnancy of over 13 weeks was unhealthy, Gita died on Baisakh 6 while visiting three different health institutions, including nursing homes and clinics, for an abortion. Gita had visited Khatri Nursing Home with her husband Prakash on Baisakh 5. She had previously visited the same place for a check-up on Chaitra 27. 

The police have arrested 5 individuals, including two doctors, and are continuing their investigation.