‘Home delivery’ blamed for decapitation of fetus

Woman called local midwife who managed to bring out baby's foot and torso during delivery but head remained inside

KARACHI:

The tragic incident of decapitation of a fetus during childbirth can be attributed to refusal to access healthcare facilities and relying on traditional midwives locally known as dai, said Sindh Health Care Commission (SHCC) CEO Ahsan Qawi Siddui.

Addressing a press briefing, Siddiqui said that the tragic incident of decapitation of a fetus during delivery needs clarification based on the facts gathered through the initial Investigation by the SHCC team Siddiqui said a preliminary investigation has been completed into the news of the child being decapitated during delivery in Thar.

He said that the woman called the local midwife [dai] who managed to bring out the baby's foot and torso during delivery but the head remained inside.

When the situation got out of control by the midwife, she sent the woman to the hospital. If the relatives file a complaint, action will be taken against those responsible for the incident.

The woman was then brought to a hospital called Love and Trust in Chhachro, where medical staff examined her and found that the child's head was almost separated from the neck.

The baby's heartbeat had also stopped. The remaining head of the child was later separated from the body.

The hospital administration had examined the woman with the nurse and midwife while the woman medical officer was later called.

The gynecologist of the hospital was on leave.

The woman was then taken to District Hospital Mithi for surgery but due to complexity of the case, lack of blood and other reasons, the patient could not be treated there and was then sent to Liaquat University Civil Hospital Hyderabad where the woman's life was saved by removing the rest of the baby's remains after surgery.

Siddiqui said they have not received a complaint of the matter so far.

If the family members approach for action, action will be taken as the Sindh Health Care Commission cannot take notice by itself.

Ahsan Qawi Siddiqui says that the jurisdiction of Sindh Health Care Commission is to improve health facilities, public outreach, equality, quality medical service and ending all kinds of quackery.

On a question, Ahsan Qawi Siddiqui said that a few days ago, the news about the presence of CCTV cameras and the work of the Commission in this regard was also investigated at the hospital in Taluka Ratodero, Larkana.

For this, it must first be understood that the Commission cannot monitor thousands of medical centres within its limited resources and regular enquiry is conducted only in case of complaint.