Doctor Allows Sweeper to Perform Post-delivery Sutures

A sweeper along with other paramedical staff performed the post delivery sutures for a woman who delivered a baby in Odisha, India. The sweeper had to carry out post delivery stitching on the woman as the doctor attending her left operation theatre in order to attend another patient, a preliminary report received by the Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO), Jagatsinghpur, said.

“The woman had a normal delivery. Therefore there was not much stitching work to be done on her. Obstetrics and Gynaecology surgeon Pramod Kumar Nayak had left the OT before the stitching. The sweeper with help of other paramedical staff conducted the stitching,” CDMO, Jagainghpur, Binod Behari Mohapatra quoted with reference to the report.

The CDMO had sought a report from the medical officer of the community health centre (CHC), Kujang after the relatives of the woman have raised a complaint.

The CDMO said the woman was safe. “The stitching done on the operated part of the body was medically examined, and it was found to be all right,” said Medical officer of the health centre Prasanna Kumar Panda.

Dr.Kulamani Samal, MP, Jagatsinghpur said, “On being informed about the incident, I paid a visit to the hospital. I talked to the patient and hospital staff members. I am of the view that the allegations that a sweeper has conducted the stitching are true. This is indeed an unfortunate occurrence. The doctor, who skipped the duty, needs to be taken to task.”

Source-Medindia