Imphal, Oct 14: The Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal, has formed a four-member enquiry committee to investigate the death of a 25-year-old woman following childbirth, after her family alleged medical negligence.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, RIMS expressed profound sorrow over the death of Thokchom Ongbi Binaroi and said a post-mortem examination has been scheduled to ascertain the cause of death.
The enquiry committee is expected to submit its report within three working days, following which appropriate action will be taken in accordance with its findings, the institute said.
However, RIMS did not disclose the names or professional backgrounds of the committee members.
Binaroi, wife of Thokchom Marson of Keishampat Jailor Leirak, had been admitted to RIMS for the delivery of her first child on Tuesday. She reportedly gave birth to a baby girl at around 11 pm before her death.
Her death triggered allegations of medical negligence from her family.
Marson alleged that his wife suffered heavy bleeding after being brought out of the operation theatre and was subsequently shifted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
He also questioned the decision to proceed with the delivery at night, claiming the family had initially been told that the delivery could take place the following morning.
According to Marson, the doctor attending to his wife, identified as Dr Rameshwor, had advised her admission.
“She had initially been advised to undergo a normal delivery but was later taken for an operation after receiving around three bottles of intravenous fluids,” he said.
Marson sought an explanation for the circumstances leading to her death and demanded accountability from the doctors concerned.
RIMS has not specifically addressed the family’s individual allegations in its latest statement. The cause of death and whether any lapse in medical care occurred remain to be established.
Meanwhile, security was tightened at the hospital on Wednesday morning after a large crowd stormed the premises on Tuesday, amid tension following Binaroi’s death.
The situation was largely normal by Wednesday morning, with security personnel deployed across the premises.
Vandalism was reported during the incident, although RIMS did not specify the extent of the damage to public property.
In its statement, the institute strongly condemned the damage, saying it understood the grief and anguish of the bereaved family but that vandalism was unacceptable.
RIMS appealed to all concerned to maintain peace, exercise restraint and allow the established procedures to take their course as the enquiry proceeds.