Alappuzha : The State Minority Commission rejected the superintendent's explanation regarding the death of a woman who passed away 35 days after giving birth at Alappuzha Medical College. The ruling was issued by A A Rasheed, chairman of the Commission, at the district panchayat hall. The Commission, which initiated an investigation into the alleged medical negligence incident on April 29, sought clarifications from various authorities including the health department's secretary, the directorate of higher education, the state police chief, and the superintendent.
Considering the superintendent's explanation as inadequate and improperly presented, the Commission requested a more detailed account during its next session. Shibina (31yrs) from Karoor, Ambalapuzha, succumbed to complications from a urinary tract infection contracted during childbirth on March 26, leading to her demise on April 28. Allegations of medical negligence were made by her relatives, who staged a protest at the hospital.
On May 2, Dr. A. Abdul Salam, the superintendent, tendered his resignation to the medical college principal. However, he was asked to remain in his position until a replacement was appointed. The district president of BIP in Alappuzha, M.V. Gopakumar, claimed on Monday that Shibina fell victim to a powerful group aiming to discredit the medical college to benefit private hospitals in the area. He called for a thorough investigation and demanded the removal of the hospital superintendent.