MORIGAON, Sept 9: A senior gynaecologist at Morigaon Civil Hospital has been served a showcause notice by district health authorities after allegedly performing 21 Caesarean section (C-section) deliveries within a span of just 10 hours, prompting an official inquiry into whether standard surgical and patient safety protocols were followed.
According to hospital records, Dr. Kantheswar Bordoloi carried out the 21 Caesarean procedures between 3:40 PM on September 5 and 1:50 AM on September 6. The unusually high number of surgeries performed in a short period has raised concerns among health officials regarding adherence to sterilisation procedures, pre-operative assessments, and post-operative patient care.
As part of the inquiry, the district administration has directed the doctor to submit a detailed report on each of the 21 surgeries. The report is expected to explain the medical condition of every patient, the circumstances under which the procedures were conducted, and whether all mandatory sterilisation and infection-control measures were followed before each operation.
Health authorities stated that while emergency obstetric situations often require prompt surgical intervention, maintaining established safety protocols is essential to minimise the risk of infections and other post-operative complications. Officials said the inquiry would determine whether standard operating procedures were followed throughout the surgeries.
Responding to the allegations, Dr. Bordoloi defended his actions, stating that his decades of experience in obstetrics and gynaecology enabled him to handle multiple emergency cases efficiently. He maintained that the surgeries were performed under urgent circumstances and expressed confidence in his professional competence.
The incident has sparked a broader debate over the immense workload faced by doctors in government hospitals, particularly in districts with limited medical manpower. Public health experts note that while resource constraints and emergency situations can place extraordinary demands on healthcare professionals, patient safety and compliance with surgical protocols must remain paramount.
The outcome of the showcause proceedings is awaited. The case has also renewed discussions on the need to strengthen healthcare infrastructure, expand specialist staffing, and improve maternal healthcare services across Assam's public health system.
