A 21-year-old pregnant tribal woman, Sonali Waghat, who was nearing the end of her third trimester, died after walking seven kilometers from her village to a primary health center (PHC) and then back home in Palghar district. The cause of death was reported to be sunstroke. However, the family of the deceased has alleged that she was a victim of medical negligence.
On Friday, Sonali Waghat, who hailed from Osavira village in Dahanu taluka, walked for 3.5 kilometers under the scorching sun to reach the highway. From there, she took an auto-rickshaw to the Tawa Primary Health Centre as she was feeling unwell, according to Palghar district civil surgeon Dr. Sanjay Bodade.
After reaching the Tawa Primary Health Centre, Sonali was treated and discharged. She was advised to return on May 27, which was the likely day of her delivery. Notwithstanding her ill health and the sweltering summer heat, she walked another 3.5 kilometers back home from the highway, according to Dr. Sanjay Bodade.
Her unborn child also died with her on May 12
She developed a high grade fever which was primarily diagnosed as heat stroke, after reaching home and was taken in a semi-conscious state to the Kasa subdistrict hospital where she was given a paracetamol tablet. When her condition did not improve, she was referred for tertiary treatment to Vedanta hospital in Talasari approximately 15 kilometers away. She and the unborn baby died on the way to Vedanta hospital.
Doctor rubbishes claim of medical negligence
Dr. Bodade has refuted the allegations of medical negligence and stated that walking in her condition for seven kilometers under severe heat conditions due to lack of transport facility from her remote village proved fatal for her. Dr. Bodade mentioned that tribal women often avoided institutional deliveries due to lack of trust, and this incident will only deepen the mistrust.
He assured that the case will be further investigated.
