The Telangana government has ordered an inquiry and initiated disciplinary action against four health personnel, including the suspension of a Medical Officer, following the death of a pregnant woman from the Bhadradri Kothagudem district who suffered severe bleeding after delivering a stillborn baby.

Kunja Vanaja, a resident of Shambhunigudem village under the jurisdiction of the Gundala Primary Health Centre (PHC), had been registered for antenatal care at the PHC and was undergoing regular check-ups. On June 13, she reportedly arrived at PHC in critical condition with labour pains and delivered a stillborn child.

She subsequently developed severe postpartum haemorrhage and was initially treated at the PHC before being referred to the Yellandu Community Health Centre and later shifted to the Government General Hospital in Khammam. Despite treatment, she succumbed to haemorrhagic shock caused by excessive blood loss, followed by cardiac arrest.

A preliminary investigation conducted on June 17 by the Project Officer of the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA), Bhadrachalam, reportedly revealed shortcomings in the information system, case management and referral process. Health Minister C. Damodar Raja Narasimha directed officials to conduct an immediate inquiry and take stringent action against those found responsible.

Based on the preliminary findings, departmental action has been initiated against ASHA worker Mokalla Lakshmi and Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) P. Dhanamma for allegedly failing to identify severe anaemia in the pregnant woman and for not informing the Medical Officer or ensuring timely referral to a higher healthcare facility.

Action has also been initiated against ANM E. Gnaneswari, who was on duty at the PHC when the woman arrived, for conducting the delivery without consulting the Medical Officer and for failing to send health personnel along with the patient despite the presence of severe haemorrhage.

The government has also suspended Dr. Sudeep, Medical Officer of the Gundala PHC, pending completion of a detailed inquiry, citing his absence from duty during the critical period when the incident occurred.