PALGHAR: A 22-year-old woman, Preeti Jadhav, from Dhuktan village in Palghar district, died after reportedly not receiving timely post-delivery treatment at the Manor Rural Hospital, sparking outrage among locals and a demand for accountability from elected representatives.
According to Preeti’s family, she was admitted to the government hospital in Manor on Sunday afternoon and gave birth to a baby girl. However, she soon developed severe post-partum complications, including heavy blood loss. Doctors decided to refer her to a hospital in Silvassa (Gujarat) for advanced care.
The family alleges that the ambulance was delayed, and when it finally arrived, the oxygen cylinder onboard ran out mid-journey, forcing the vehicle to turn back to replace it — a critical delay that may have cost Preeti her life.
She reportedly died while undergoing treatment after finally reaching the referred hospital.
MLA Seeks Accountability
Palghar MLA Vilas Tare has demanded a thorough inquiry and strict action against the hospital staff involved. He met Maharashtra Public Health Minister Prakash Abitkar and submitted a memorandum seeking not only justice for Preeti’s death but also a comprehensive audit of healthcare services in Palghar district.
“This isn’t just about one woman’s death — it highlights a larger pattern of neglect, mismanagement, and lack of infrastructure in rural healthcare,” said Tare. “How many more lives must be lost before action is taken?”
Hospital Responds
Doctors at Manor Rural Hospital denied any delay in dispatching the ambulance, claiming a cardiac ambulance with a doctor on board was promptly arranged. They admitted the oxygen cylinder had to be replaced en route, but insisted a backup was provided.
One of the attending doctors stated that while the delivery was normal, Preeti later developed complications due to excessive bleeding, prompting the decision to refer her to Silvassa.
“We are deeply saddened by the incident and will conduct an internal inquiry,” the doctor said.
Family and Activist Allegations
Preeti’s husband recounted that she delivered around 3:30 PM, and by 4:30 PM they were informed that her condition had deteriorated. “There was a delay in the ambulance, and on top of that, we had to return to the hospital mid-way to refill the oxygen cylinder. We lost precious time,” he said.
A local health activist pointed to the lack of tertiary care facilities in Palghar as a major issue. “Patients in critical condition are forced to travel long distances to Gujarat or Nashik, losing vital time that could make the difference between life and death.”
What’s Next?
With growing public anger and demands for justice, the district health administration is now under pressure to investigate the case thoroughly. The tragedy has once again brought into focus the urgent need for strengthening rural healthcare infrastructure in Maharashtra’s tribal and semi-urban regions.
