The death of a 26-year-old woman due to postpartum sepsis on the 19th day after she gave birth to her baby sparked major protests outside SAT Hospital on Sunday as the woman’s family claimed she contracted the infection from the hospital.
Family members of the woman along with her 19-day-old baby and local people were joined by BJP activists and former BJP Union State Minister V. Muraleedharan, who demanded that an inquiry into the woman’s death be conducted in accordance with the special guidelines for investigation into allegations of medical negligence ordered by the Supreme Court.
Sivapriya (26) from Karikkakom had a normal delivery at SAT Hospital on October 22 and was discharged on October 25. However, the very next day, October 26, she was admitted back to SAT Hospital with a high fever and in a serious state of septic shock. She was thus admitted to the multidisciplinary ICU and treated. A blood culture report performed on October 30 revealed that the causative agent of the sepsis was Acinetobacter. She died on Sunday, November 9 at 11:50 a.m. while undergoing treatment.
Acinetobacter sepsis after childbirth is a serious condition, and although the infection can come from a variety of sources, including the hospital, the family argued that the woman could only have contracted it from the hospital.
However, speaking to the media, SAT Hospital Superintendent S. Bindu said there was absolutely no chance of Sivapriya contracting an intrapartum infection as the delivery took place within two hours of the rupture of the fetal membrane. Her hospital stay was uneventful and she was discharged in good health on October 25.
Dr. Bindu said that when Sivapriya was brought back the next day, she had a high fever, vomiting and diarrhea and that in all likelihood the episiotomies (a surgical cut on the perineum to facilitate delivery) had become infected due to contamination.
Statement by the hospital
In an official statement, the SAT authorities here pointed out that 17 deliveries took place at the hospital on October 22 and that none of these mothers reported any health problems. In addition, the microbiology division certified the delivery room and operating rooms as germ-free on October 18 after routine examinations.
Mr. Muraleedharan, who led the mediation and discussion with the hospital authorities, said Sivapriya’s inquest and post-mortem will be held in the presence of the RDO on Monday, November 10, to ascertain the cause of death.
The hospital authorities have also agreed to an investigation by an external medical authority in full compliance with the directions issued by the Supreme Court in investigating allegations of medical negligence.
Mr. Muraleedharan said that Sivapriya’s family had spent over 1 lakh on the Medical College for her treatment and demanded that the Health Minister explain how the poor family was forced to spend so much in a public hospital where medical treatment is supposed to be free.
The woman’s family ended their protest outside the hospital after Mr. Muraleedharan’s intervention.
Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan and AICC general secretary KC Venugopal said Shivapriya’s death has thrown light on the sorry state of publicly funded hospitals in the state.
Published – 9 Nov 2025 20:09 IST
