The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has begun proceedings to terminate the services of a senior resident (anesthesiology), found guilty of wilful absence from his duty in the death of nursing officer Rajbir Kaur while delivering a child, who was stillborn, on February 4.
As per a statement released by AIIMS on Tuesday, the inquiry committee noted that Kaur’s was a low-risk pregnancy monitored in the labour room on January 16.
Emergency surgery
Labour was progressing well till 5 a.m., when a sudden drop in the heart rate necessitated emergency surgery. However, resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful and Kaur was shifted to the ICU. She passed away on February 4, noted the report.
AIIMS Deputy Director (Administration) V. Srinivas said the institute had initiated follow-up action against officials held responsible by the inquiry committee to look into her death.
“Based on the committee findings and two rounds of meetings at the level of the AIIMS Director, a set of administrative action has been taken by AIIMS,” he said.
Compensation for kin
He noted that compensation of ₹10 lakh will be given the next of kin after due administrative approval. A displeasure memorandum by the AIIMS Director shall also be issued to senior resident (gynaecology).
As part of action initiated against those found negligent — “a warning shall be issued to the junior resident (anaesthesiology) for having left the operation theatre under pressure of residents of obstetrics and gynaecology”.
A show cause notice shall be issued to the consultant on call of obstetrics and gynaecology for not being present for the emergency operation despite being informed.
The AIIMS authorities have noted that from now on, the HoD of anaesthesiology will ensure round-the-clock availability of senior residents at the maternity operation theatre.
