Srinagar, July 1: A 35-year-old woman died following an IVF procedure at a private fertility centre in Srinagar on Wednesday, triggering protests by her family, who accused the treating doctor of gross medical negligence and demanded a criminal investigation into the incident.
The deceased, Haneefa, originally from Bandipora and married in Baramulla’s Wagoora area, had visited Harkaar IVF & Maternity Centre at Hyderpora for treatment. Her husband told the news agency Kashmir News Trust that she had no known medical history and had gone to the centre in good health.
According to the family, her condition deteriorated soon after she was administered anaesthesia during the procedure. They alleged that instead of informing them about her actual condition, the doctors shifted her to Shireen Bagh Hospital.
The woman’s husband alleged that doctors at Shireen Bagh informed the family that she had already died before being brought there.
“We brought her here for IVF treatment. She was perfectly healthy and walked into the hospital on her own. We were shocked to learn that she had already died before reaching the second hospital,” he told KNT.
The incident sparked protests outside Harkaar IVF & Maternity Centre, where relatives accused the management of attempting to evade responsibility. They claimed that by the time they reached the facility, they found the premises locked despite it being a working day.
Protesting family members questioned why a medical institution would shut its doors immediately after such an incident and urged the Health Department to seal the centre pending an impartial investigation. They also demanded strict legal action against those found responsible. They solely held Dr Sajad Wani, the owner of the Centre responsible for what they called murder of lady.
The family has specifically alleged that an excessive dose of anesthesia led to Haneefa’s death.
Despite repeated attempts by Kashmir News Trust to obtain the version of Harkaar IVF & Maternity Centre and the treating doctor, there was no response.
The incident has raised serious questions among the bereaved family over the treatment administered, the decision to shift the patient to another hospital and the circumstances surrounding her death. They have called for a time-bound, independent inquiry to establish the facts and fix accountability. The family members also demanded the arrest of the owner of the IVF Centre. [KNT]
