health-and-family-welfare-department-holds-press-conference-on-recent-medical-incident
Gangtok, May 10 (IPR): Health and Family Welfare Department held a press conference today at the Conference Hall of STNM Hospital, Sochakgang, regarding the recent death of a woman and her unborn twins.
Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, Mr Tshewang Gyachho, addressed the issue regarding the constitution of an inquiry committee into the matter. He stated that following reports of the patient’s death on May 6, 2026, an order constituting a committee was issued on May 8, 2026. The committee comprised Principal Director, Health Services, Dr Pema Seden Lepcha; Additional Medical Superintendent, STNM Hospital, Dr Suresh Madan Rasaily; Head of Department, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Central Referral Hospital, Tadong; Deputy Secretary, STNM Hospital, Sochakgang, Ms Pooja Lohar; and Under Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, Ms Pratiksha Sharma.
Mr Gyachho further stated that the Chief Secretary, Government of Sikkim, Mr R. Telang, reviewed the matter and chaired a meeting yesterday, during which the Government decided to constitute an independent inquiry commission comprising members outside the Health and Family Welfare Department, thereby superseding the earlier committee.
As per Notification No. 49/Home/2026 dated May 9, 2026, the Inquiry Commission has been constituted to examine the sequence of events related to the patient’s treatment and referral to a higher medical centre outside Sikkim. The five-member commission is headed by Director General of Police (Vigilance and Anti-Corruption), Mr N. Sridar Rao, as Chairperson. Other members include Principal Director, Health Services, Dr Pema Seden Lepcha; Additional Medical Superintendent, STNM Hospital, Dr Suresh Madan Rasaily; Head of Department, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Central Referral Hospital, Tadong, Dr Anup Pradhan; and Special Secretary, Department of Personnel, Mr Mahesh Sharma, who will serve as Member Secretary.
Additional Medical Superintendent, Health and Family Welfare Department, Dr Suresh Madan Rasaily, stated that the woman had been undergoing infertility treatment at Noblestride Fertility & Diagnostic Centre near STNM Hospital, Sochakgang. He informed that the patient was admitted twice to the Gynaecology Department of STNM Hospital.
The first admission took place on March 2, 2026, when she was approximately four months pregnant with twins. According to Dr Rasaily, the patient was experiencing per vaginal (PV) bleeding associated with threatened miscarriage, an acute complication compounded by a low-lying placenta. He stated that, considering the pregnancy had been conceived through IVF and was categorised as high-risk, doctors attempted to manage and preserve the pregnancy in consultation with the family. He added that the patient was stabilised with medication and advised to remain admitted at the hospital; however, the family declined continued hospitalisation, following which the patient was discharged on March 9, 2026. He further stated that no follow-up was undertaken thereafter.
Dr Rasaily informed that the patient was admitted again on April 4, 2026, with similar complications, at approximately five months of pregnancy. Despite treatment at the hospital, the amniotic fluid level reportedly continued to decrease, while the PV bleeding had subsided with occasional spotting. He 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, 2026.
Head of Department, Gynaecology, Dr Mani Gurung, stated that the patient first visited the hospital at around 16 weeks of pregnancy during the episode of PV bleeding. Prior to that, she had reportedly been under the care of an IVF specialist. Dr Gurung said that the patient had been referred to Foetal Medicine Specialists, who possess the expertise required for the management of such high-risk cases involving foetuses weighing approximately 350 to 400 grams at that stage of pregnancy.
Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, Mr Tshewang Gyachho, finally stated that the Inquiry Commission has been tasked with submitting its report on the incident within 15 days.