The head of the Akmolinsk region's health department, Nurlan Akhilbekov, announced that an internal investigation has been initiated regarding the death of a newborn that occurred at the multidisciplinary regional hospital No. 2 in Astana.
A resident of the village of Kazhimukan in the Tselinograd district, Aiganym K., a mother of three, and her relatives blame the medical staff for the death of the newborn. The woman was scheduled for a planned hospitalization at hospital No. 2 for a cesarean section. This was indicated due to two scars on her uterus from previous surgeries, polyhydramnios, and a large fetus.
When she arrived at the emergency room, she was denied hospitalization and sent home. That same evening, Aiganym began experiencing painful contractions and returned to the hospital the next morning. According to the woman, she lay in the department all day without any attention, and only in the evening did the new surgeon on duty decide to operate, expressing outrage that this could have been done earlier.
The woman admitted that after the baby was born, she did not hear his cry. The child was immediately taken away. When she inquired about the baby, she was told that the boy would be brought to her later after changing his clothes. However, even when she was moved to her ward, she still did not see her child. Soon, she was informed that the baby was in serious condition in the intensive care unit. Allegedly, the baby had swallowed water, and an infection had entered his lungs. The infant fought for his life for two days.
Nurlan Akhilbekov expressed his condolences regarding the incident and explained:
“The child's body has been sent for forensic examination. The pregnant woman sought help at the obstetric department of this hospital on November 14, but there were no indications for hospitalization, so she was refused. However, on the 15th, she was admitted to the obstetric department of the multidisciplinary hospital No. 2, and on the same day, a cesarean section was performed. A viable full-term baby was born. But the child was born in a state of asphyxia, was heavy, and was placed in the intensive care unit. An internal investigation is currently underway regarding this matter.”
The deputy akim of the Akmolinsk region, Altynay Amrenova, also noted that for each case of maternal or infant death, a commission is established first at the regional level and then at the level of the Ministry of Health, adding:
“In the future, if this involves criminal liability, it will transition into a different realm. Accordingly, all measures are taken in a timely manner, including the punishment of the top officials.”
The Akmolinsk regional police department stated that they would make a decision only after the investigation initiated by the health department.
Currently, there is a shortage of about 16 obstetricians-gynecologists in the Akmolinsk region.