Assam: The District Commissioner of Assam’s Morigaon district has served a show-cause notice to a senior physician for performing 21 C-section (cesarean) operations within 10 hours, raising concerns over the health and safety of mothers and newborns.
The notice, signed by Additional District Commissioner (Health) Nitisha Bora, was served on September 6 to senior gynaecologist Dr. Kantheswar Bordoloi, who also serves as senior medical and health officer at Morigaon Civil Hospital.
According to the notice, Dr. Bordoloi performed 21 emergency lower segment caesarean section (LSCS) deliveries within just 10 hours, between 3:40 pm on September 5 and 1:50 am on September 6, at the hospital’s major operating theatre.
The doctor has been asked to submit separate details of each case, including whether standard operating procedures (SOPs) for sterilisation of surgical instruments were followed, documentation of any fetal distress cases, details of patients admitted to the Sick Neonatal Care Unit (SNCU), and the roles and duties of assisting staff.
“This raises a few serious concerns and hence, in this regard, you are hereby directed to submit a comprehensive report for each of the above-mentioned cases,” the ADC wrote in the notice.
The ADC further observed that preoperative and postoperative notes were not adequately maintained during a review of case records. “Such detailed documentation is imperative for strengthening infection control protocols and for preventing maternal and infant morbidity and mortality,” the notice added.
The doctor has been instructed to submit his report and explanations within three days.
Responding to the controversy, Dr. Bordoloi defended his actions, claiming he was fully competent to perform multiple surgeries within a limited timeframe.
“What I have done is nothing unusual, and other doctors also perform many surgeries at such a pace. Perhaps someone complained against me,” he told reporters.
Explaining his method, he said a standard caesarean takes around 25 minutes but can be completed in 15 minutes for less complicated cases. He added that the hospital has two operating tables, allowing sterilisation cycles to be alternated without compromising safety.
According to him, 19 of the 21 mothers and infants have already been discharged in stable condition, while two remain hospitalised, including one referred to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital.
“Though this is not a big deal, it is frustrating to face such questions after so many years of service,” he said, hinting that he may consider resigning from government service if what he termed as “conspiracies” continue.
