‘She had died already, yet they shifted her’: Family blames Pulwama hospital for woman’s death

July 7, 2025 by News Desk

Meer Irfan

The family of a 24-year-old woman from Armullah Litter, identified as Tahira Jan, staged a protest outside the District Hospital Pulwama on Sunday, alleging medical negligence that led to her death during childbirth.

According to her husband, Tahira was brought to the hospital around 10:40 am on Sunday. “The doctors assured us it would be a normal delivery. She was taken into the labour room, but just two hours later, she was shifted to a ward,” Ayoub said.

While he was about to give her tea, Tahira fell unconscious again. “Without any examination or tests, they told me she had a blood deficiency and asked me to arrange blood immediately,” he said. She was then rushed back to the ICU.

“But by then, she was already gone. I checked the pulse monitor — it showed no sign of life. Still, they referred us to Lal Ded Hospital in Srinagar,” he told The Kashmiriyat. “I have photos of the monitor showing zero pulse. When we reached Lal Ded, I asked the doctors there to check her pulse. They confirmed she was already dead.”

Tahira’s cousin, who accompanied the family, raised concerns about the hospital’s version of events. “They said it was a normal delivery, but when I saw her after the procedure, she was bleeding heavily. How could they allow her to leave the operation theatre in such a state?”

The family claims there was a delay in providing emergency care, as well as a lack of communication about her deteriorating condition.

They also allege the hospital tried to shift responsibility by referring her to another facility, even though she had already passed away.

A cousin further noted that after Tahira was declared dead, the baby was handed over to them with minimal medical attention. “They just told us to take the baby downstairs to get checked by another doctor,” she said.

Inquiry ordered

In response to the public outcry, the District Magistrate Pulwama has constituted a high-level inquiry committee to investigate the allegations.

The six-member panel includes officials from the Revenue Department, Police, and Health Department, along with senior medical officers from the district.

According to the Medical Superintendent DH pulwama, Dr. Abdul Gani Dar, who spoke to The Kashmiriyat, over the phone, the committee is headed by the Assistant Commissioner Revenue (Additional Deputy Commissioner) Pulwama and is tasked with identifying any lapses in treatment or professional conduct. The panel has been asked to submit its findings within 15 days.

“We have constituted a committee to thoroughly investigate the matter and ascertain whether there was any lapse in medical treatment or professional conduct. The report will be submitted within 15 days, and action will be taken accordingly,” be said.

The administration has assured that appropriate action will follow based on the committee’s findings.