Gangtok, May 10: The Health and Family Welfare Department on Saturday held a press conference at the Conference Hall of STNM Hospital, Sochakgang, regarding the recent death of a woman and her unborn twins, announcing the constitution of an independent inquiry commission to investigate the matter.
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Officials of the Health and Family Welfare Department address a press conference at STNM Hospital, Sochakgang, regarding the constitution of an independent inquiry commission into the death of a woman and her unborn twins in Sikkim. (Image: DIO Gangtok) |
Addressing the media, Secretary of the Health and Family Welfare Department, Tshewang Gyachho, stated that following reports of the patient’s death on May 6, 2026, an initial inquiry committee was constituted on May 8. The committee included Principal Director of Health Services Dr Pema Seden Lepcha, Additional Medical Superintendent of STNM Hospital Dr Suresh Madan Rasaily, Head of the Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics at Central Referral Hospital Dr Anup Pradhan, Deputy Secretary of STNM Hospital Pooja Lohar, and Under Secretary of the department Pratiksha Sharma.
However, after reviewing the matter, Chief Secretary of Sikkim R. Telang chaired a meeting on May 9, during which the Government decided to supersede the earlier committee and form an independent inquiry commission comprising members outside the Health and Family Welfare Department.
As per Notification No. 49/Home/2026 dated May 9, the five-member Inquiry Commission has been tasked with examining the sequence of events surrounding the patient’s treatment and referral outside Sikkim. The commission is headed by Director General of Police (Vigilance and Anti-Corruption) N. Sridar Rao as Chairperson.
Other members include Principal Director of Health Services Dr Pema Seden Lepcha, Additional Medical Superintendent Dr Suresh Madan Rasaily, Head of Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics at Central Referral Hospital Dr Anup Pradhan, and Special Secretary of the Department of Personnel Mahesh Sharma, who will serve as Member Secretary.
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During the press conference, Additional Medical Superintendent Dr Suresh Madan Rasaily informed that the woman had been undergoing infertility treatment at Noblestride Fertility & Diagnostic Centre near STNM Hospital and had been admitted twice to the hospital’s Gynaecology Department.
According to Dr Rasaily, the patient was first admitted on March 2, 2026, when she was around four months pregnant with twins. She was reportedly suffering from per vaginal bleeding associated with threatened miscarriage, further complicated by a low-lying placenta. Considering that the pregnancy was conceived through IVF and classified as high-risk, doctors attempted to preserve the pregnancy in consultation with the family.
He stated that the patient was stabilised with medication and advised continued hospitalisation, but the family declined and she was discharged on March 9. No follow-up was reportedly undertaken thereafter.
The patient was admitted again on April 4, at around five months of pregnancy, with similar complications. Dr Rasaily stated that although treatment was provided, the amniotic fluid level continued to decrease. Since the patient’s condition remained stable, she was referred to an out-of-state diagnostic centre with a Foetal Medicine Specialist for advanced management and was discharged on April 22.
Head of the Department of Gynaecology, Dr Mani Gurung, stated that the patient first approached 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. He added that the patient had been referred to Foetal Medicine Specialists equipped to handle such high-risk pregnancies involving foetuses weighing approximately 350 to 400 grams at that stage.
Secretary Tshewang Gyachho stated that the Inquiry Commission has been directed to submit its report within 15 days.
