Husband Demands Investigation After Wife Dies in Hospital Transfer
A 28-year-old woman and her unborn child died during an emergency hospital transfer in Mae Hong Son province after medical staff at the original facility lacked equipment for a necessary caesarean section. Her husband has requested an inves
Mae Hong Son — A 28-year-old man has asked the Pavena Hongsakul Foundation for Children and Women to investigate after his wife and unborn child died following a planned transfer between hospitals in Mae Hong Son province.
The husband, referred to as K, made a video call to foundation president Pavena Hongsakul on Thursday while attending the funeral rites for his wife and child.
K said his wife had been due to give birth on 1 September and was scheduled to undergo labour induction at a local hospital on 31 August. An ultrasound at about 16:00 reportedly found the baby was healthy and weighed more than three kilograms.
According to the husband, the induction did not progress because her cervix had not opened, and she was allowed to return home.
At nearly 01:00 on 1 September, he said she developed back cramps, abdominal pain and vomiting. He took her back to the hospital, where staff found her cervix was dilated by two centimetres and told him she would need a caesarean section.
K said the hospital did not have a surgeon or the necessary equipment available, and arranged to transfer her to a hospital in Mae Hong Son town, about two hours away by road.
He said her breathing became difficult by morning and she was given oxygen. The transfer vehicle left at about 10:00, but about 10 minutes into the journey, she went into shock and lost consciousness, he said.
The vehicle returned to the original hospital, where medical staff attempted resuscitation. K said his wife and unborn child were pronounced dead at 11:40.
He has filed a police complaint at Khun Yuam Police Station and asked the foundation to determine whether the urgent referral process was delayed. He said he remains unsure about the cause of their deaths.
In a statement issued on 3 September, Khun Yuam Hospital expressed condolences and said it was reviewing records and information on the woman's admission, assessment, treatment and referral. It said the cause of death remained subject to an official post-mortem examination and that it would provide further updates when more information became available.
Pavena expressed condolences to the family and said her foundation would coordinate with Mae Hong Son's provincial public health office to seek an urgent review. She said it would also work with local MP Pakorn Chinakham to assist the family and follow the case.
