A grieving mother is demanding that someone be held accountable for the death of her daughter after a caesarean section delivery at Chum Phae Hospital in Khon Kaen.
Praiwal Promwang, 56 of Chum Phae district, told a media conference on Friday that no one would take responsibility for the death of her 22-year-old daughter Kanjanaporn Promwang.
Kanjanaporn had sought prenatal care at the clinic of a doctor at Chum Phae Hospital and was admitted on Feb 23. As the baby was poorly positioned in the womb it was delivered by C-section that morning.
"Soon after she went into surgery a nurse told us that Kanjana's heart had stopped beating, but that resuscitation was successful... Afterwards she was placed in an ICU and was then referred to Khon Kaen Hospital that same evening," Mrs Praiwal said.
Kanjanaporn died at Khon Kaen Hospital on March 8.
According to Mrs Praiwal, the surgeon said her daughter had had an allergic reaction to the anaesthetic. Khon Kaen Hospital attributed the death to amniotic fluid embolism syndrome (when amniotic fluid enters the mother's bloodstream). This made the family suspicious, she said.
"We then met the surgeon, seeking help and compensation. She showed understanding but offered no money. She tried to give us a box of powdered milk. We rejected it and filed a complaint with police," Mrs Praiwal said.
Dr Kriangsak Wacharanukulkiat, director of Chum Phae Hospital, said amniotic fluid embolism syndrome was rare during delivery, and there was only minimal chance of survival.
"The woman was in critical condition. Doctors were mobilised to give the best help. She was admitted to an ICU and treated until she was ready for referral the same evening... The patient was unable to resist the effects and died," he said. The baby was saved.
Doctors at Chum Phae and Khon Kaen hospitals had already explained the matter to the family. The compensation process would take some time under the national health security system, Dr Kriangsak said.
