ASHA worker dies after botched C-section at repeatedly sealed hospital

A 30-year-old ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) worker died after a quack allegedly performed a C-section on her at a hospital that had already been sealed by authorities at Devatan Crossing under Kone police station limits in Sonbhadra on Saturday.

After the botched surgery, the accused and his associates allegedly fled without even stitching her abdomen. The newborn, however, survived.

Sonbhadra CMO Dr PK Rai said that the Global Hospital and Surgical Centre, which had been sealed three times earlier, including on March 20, was sealed again by a joint team of the health department, district administration and police.

A named FIR has been lodged at the Kone police station against the hospital operators, identified as Naseem and Salma. They have been booked under charges of culpable homicide amounting to murder, aggravated cheating and dishonest inducement, along with provisions of the National Medical Commission (NMC) Act.

Dr Rai said the services of the ambulance driver, who allegedly transported the ASHA worker to the private facility instead of a govt hospital, have been terminated. Action has also been taken against the medical transport (MT) operator.

Sonbhadra SP Abhishek Verma said that after the victim’s body was sent for postmortem, multiple police teams were deployed to trace and arrest the accused. The police have announced a cash reward of Rs 25,000 for Naseem and Rs 10,000 for Salma.

The SP said exemplary action would be taken against the accused for allegedly continuing to operate the hospital despite repeated sealing by authorities.

According to the family, Seema Devi, an ASHA worker from Singa Bagesoti village and mother of four daughters, was taken to the Kachanrawa Primary Health Centre late Friday after she went into labour. They alleged that the auxiliary nurse midwife (ANM) on duty informed them that Seema required an immediate C-section.

When the family expressed concern about arranging treatment at such a late hour, they were allegedly directed to Naseem’s hospital. Seema was transported to the private facility in a govt ambulance.

Her family claimed that upon arrival, hospital staff obtained their signatures on several documents and demanded a deposit of Rs 50,000 before admitting her. She subsequently underwent a C-section and gave birth to a baby boy. The family initially celebrated the birth of the long-awaited son. However, their joy soon turned into grief when Seema allegedly died shortly after the surgery.

Family members alleged that those who performed the operation fled without suturing her surgical wound, reportedly saying they were going to arrange an ambulance.

The SP said an investigation has been launched to determine how the hospital continued to function despite being sealed multiple times by the authorities.