KATHMANDU, April 26: A probe committee investigating the death of a pregnant woman, Gita Pandey, in Butwal has submitted its preliminary report to the Nepal Medical Council, recommending immediate action against health facilities and personnel involved in her abortion procedure.
The committee, led by Dr Samrat Parajuli, has recommended sealing Butwal-based Zonal Pharmacy and Indulekha Health Clinic until the final report is prepared. It has also advised barring Dr Satish Rupakheti from examining patients. The NMC has already implemented the recommendations, according to Registrar Dr Satish Kumar Dev.
Dr Dev said the preliminary report was prepared over three days, adding that a detailed account of the incident will follow in the final report. The report, however, does not address the role of Dr DB Khatri, operator of Khatri Nursing Home, despite a formal complaint filed by the victim’s husband, Prakash Pandey, naming him as one of the accused.
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Pandey died on April 19 while seeking abortion services after visiting multiple health facilities. She had first approached Khatri Nursing Home on April 18 after being informed that her pregnancy—over 13 weeks—was unhealthy. She had also visited the same facility for a check-up on April 10.
According to the complaint, Khatri Nursing Home referred her to Zonal Pharmacy Clinic in Butwal without providing treatment. There, she was asked to pay Rs 16,000 for the procedure and, after paying Rs 2,000 in advance, was given medication and sent away.
She was later taken to Indulekha Health Clinic, where the abortion was carried out. Dr Rupakheti was involved in her examination, and she died during the procedure.
Her husband has accused the institutions of prioritising profit over patient care and has demanded legal action against Dr Khatri and Dr Rupakheti. He has also filed a complaint against Sandhya Basnet, Nilam Ghartimagar and Khagendra Prasad Pandey.
Police detained all five for investigation, though Dr Khatri and Dr Rupakheti have since been released. Earlier, relatives had padlocked the three facilities in protest.
Gita Pandey worked at the Blood Transfusion Service Centre in Bhairahawa, while her husband is a officer-level government employee.
