A pregnant woman died due to alleged medical negligence in a government hospital in south Kashmir district of Anantnag.

Authorities have ordered an inquiry into the death of the woman at Maternity and Children Hospital (MCH) Sherbagh in Anantnag on 26th June. The family members of the deceased said that 25-year-old Shobi Jan was admitted to the hospital on 25th June morning as her delivery time was fixed in the afternoon at around 1400 hrs. However, they alleged that the doctors did not attend to her at the scheduled time.

They further alleged that after an attendant of the pregnant woman observed that there was no movement of the foetus, she rushed to inform the doctors. ''But, the doctors paid no heed to this information and did not check the patient,'' they said, adding it was only at 2300 hrs that the patient was taken to the labour room. ''She was again left unattended at the labour room and no one from the family was allowed to be there,'' they said.

''Shobi was taken to operation theater at around 0300 hrs on 26th June and it was not opened for hours. It was at around 0630 hrs that the operation theater was opened and that too when the police team reached the hospital,'' the family said. Official sources said that an inquiry has been ordered into the incident. ''

A team of doctors, comprising Dr Akeela and Dr Masarat, (gynaecologists) besides Dr Anzil (Anesthesia), will investigate the case and submit their reports at the earliest,'' they said. A police officer said that they have taken cognisance of the incident and initiated investigations.