Monday, May 11, 2026 10:30 [IST]
Last Update: Sunday, May 10, 2026 17:23 [IST]
GANGTOK, : State Health department and STNM Hospital on Sunday denied allegations of medical negligence by STNM Hospital in the case of a woman in her early 40s and her unborn twins, asserting that all possible care was provided and that the matter is now under a government-ordered independent inquiry.
Addressing a press conference, Health secretary TshewangGyachho said the allegations against the hospital were “completely untrue and baseless,” adding that the department “strongly condemns” the claims of negligence.
He further said that only one side of the narrativeis being presented in public discourse, while the clinical treatment details and medical records had not been adequately considered.
The woman, Sweta Karki, had been undergoing infertility treatment at Noblestride Fertility & Diagnostic Centre and was subsequently managed twice in the Gynaecology Department of STNM Hospital.
According to additional medical superintendent Dr. Suresh M. Rasaily, Karki was first admitted on March 2, at around 16 weeks of twin pregnancy with per vaginal (PV) bleeding associated with threatened miscarriage, an acute complication compounded by a low-lying placenta. She was stabilised with treatment and discharged on March 9 at the family’s request for home-based care and rest.He further stated that no follow-up was undertaken thereafter.
She was readmitted on April 4, at around 19-20 weeks of pregnancy with similar complications. Dr.Rasaily said that although the bleeding had subsided with occasional spotting, the amniotic fluid level reportedly continued to decline despite treatment.
The case was reviewed by a team of obstetrics and gynaecology specialists, after which it was decided to refer the patient to a foetal medicine specialist centre outside the State due to the high-risk nature of the pregnancy. “Since it was a precious pregnancy, they decided not to terminate the pregnancy and salvage the twins.”
Dr.Rasaily stated that, as the patient’s condition was stable at the time, she was referred to an out-of-state diagnostic centre with a foetal medicine specialist in an effort to continue management of the pregnancy. The patient was subsequently discharged on April 22 and shifted to Neotia Hospital Siliguri via helicopter.
Dr. Mani Gurung, head of department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at STNM Hospital, said the referral was made as foetal medicine expertise was required in view of the high-risk condition, with foetuses weighing around 350-400 grams at the time.
Dr.Rasailymaintained that the mother and foetuses were stable at the time of transfer and that all parameters were within normal limits.
The woman died on May 6, along with the unborn twins, following which allegations of negligence surfaced from sections of the family and the public.
The Health department said an internal committee was initially constituted on May 8 to examine the case, but the government later decided to supersede it.
“Chief Secretary R. Telang reviewed the matter and chaired a meeting yesterday, during which the State government decided to constitute an independent inquiry commission comprising members outside the Health and Family Welfare department, superseding the earlier committee,” secretary Gyachho said.
The independent inquiry commission, headed by Director General of Police (Vigilance and Anti-Corruption) N. Sridar Rao, has been tasked with submitting its report within 15 days.
The commission will examine the sequence of treatment, referral decisions and overall management of the case, Gyachho said.
