Panel to probe deaths of 5 women during c-section deliveries

A three-member committee of senior doctors was formed today to ascertain the cause of deaths of five women during c-section delivery procedures in the last ten days at the state-run Niloufer Hospital for Women and Children here.
"We have closed the operation theatre temporarily because we don't know the cause. Alternative arrangements for deliveries have been made," said hospital superintendent Dr C Suresh Kumar.
"In the last ten days several (cesarean section) deliveries took place...But only these five women were affected. We have appointed a committee to look into the matter. It is unusual, so much mortality is not expected. The reasons need to be investigated," Dr Kumar told PTI.

The committee has been asked to submit report in a week.
Earlier in the day, relatives of one of the deceased women staged a protest on the hospital premises alleging negligence on part of the hospital.