IMA Calls for Fair Probe into Maternal Death at Kullu Hospital, Condemns Mob Pressure

Shimla, July 1: Expressing deep sorrow over the death of a young mother at the District Hospital in Kullu, the medical fraternity has called for a transparent, scientific, and impartial inquiry into the incident while urging authorities to protect healthcare professionals from intimidation and mob pressure.

In a statement, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) stressed that every maternal death deserves a thorough investigation to determine the exact cause and identify any shortcomings in care. However, it asserted that allegations of medical negligence must be assessed by an independent board of medical experts and not decided under public pressure.

The association said that medicine is not an exact science and that an adverse outcome alone does not establish negligence. It emphasized that only qualified medical professionals can distinguish between a bona fide error of judgment and gross negligence after examining complete medical records.

The IMA also expressed concern over reports that protesters entered the offices of the Chief Medical Officer and Medical Superintendent, demanding the immediate suspension of the treating doctor. It termed such actions detrimental to the administration of justice and warned that intimidation of healthcare workers could adversely affect patient care.

The association urged the district administration to maintain law and order, ensure the safety of healthcare personnel, and facilitate a fair inquiry by an expert medical board. It maintained that accountability should be fixed wherever negligence is proven, but no medical professional should face punitive action solely on the basis of public outrage.