72-Year-Old Woman Dies During Blood Test at Kolhapur Hospital; Inquiry Ordered

Kolhapur, Maharashtra – A 72-year-old woman tragically passed away during a routine blood test at Chhatrapati Pramila Raje Civil Hospital in Kolhapur on Monday, sparking outrage and demands for accountability from her family and local residents. The hospital administration has ordered an internal inquiry and taken immediate disciplinary actions against the medical staff involved.

Incident Details

The deceased, identified as Shakuntala Madhukar Pawar, was at the hospital for a routine blood test as a preparatory step before a scheduled cataract surgery. According to hospital officials, Ms. Pawar collapsed suddenly while her blood was being drawn and was declared dead shortly thereafter.

Public Reaction and Hospital Response

Following the incident, family members and local community members staged a protest within the hospital premises, accusing the medical staff of negligence. In response to the public outcry and to ensure transparency, the hospital administration has temporarily relieved the current medical superintendent of duty and placed three attending doctors on leave pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation.

The hospital dean stated that preliminary findings from the internal inquiry have not indicated any foul play or medical negligence, but the investigation is still underway to ascertain the exact cause of death.

Context and Related Incidents

This unfortunate event comes amid growing concerns over patient safety and medical negligence in healthcare facilities. Recently, similar incidents have been reported, including the death of a 17-year-old girl in Kerala following complications from an injection administered at a private clinic.

Disclaimer

The information presented in this article is based on initial reports and statements from hospital authorities and eyewitnesses. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and further details may emerge as the inquiry progresses. This article does not imply any conclusion regarding medical negligence or malpractice until the official investigation is completed.