Ministry of Health issues official statement on stillbirth case in Tashkent

 The Ministry of Health of Uzbekistan has released an official statement regarding the stillbirth reported at a Tashkent maternity hospital. Earlier claims alleged negligence by medical staff, but the Tashkent City Health Department's investigation concluded that the doctors were not at fault and had been providing regular care to the patient.  

"On November 20, 2024, at 11:30 PM, a woman identified as S.R. was admitted to the maternity ward by the attending doctor with a diagnosis of 'first pregnancy at 37 weeks and 3 days, premature rupture of membranes, and first-degree anemia.'  

The following day, on November 21, a consultation and fetal ultrasound examination (UTT) were carried out with the involvement of the deputy chief physician, the head of the department, and residents. The diagnosis of 'first pregnancy at 37 weeks and 3 days, premature rupture of membranes, and first-degree anemia' was confirmed. Due to the absence of labor activity, it was decided to follow the standard protocol: if labor did not commence within the standard 18-hour waiting period, antibiotics would be administered to prevent septic complications. Additionally, an evaluation of the birth canal was planned within 24 hours to determine the possibility of inducing labor," the department reported.

However, by 5:00 PM, an allergy test for the antibiotic "Ceftriaxone" returned positive, leading to the cancellation of the medication. At 11:00 PM, doctors assessed the birth canal and decided to induce labor using Glandin E2 due to the lack of progress. The baby's heartbeat was monitored, and labor induction began.  

"Today, at 23:00, the doctor on duty, taking into account the dehydration period of 24 hours, examined the birth canal in order to induce labor. Due to the unpreparedness of the birth canal, labor induction with Glandin E2 was planned according to the standard and protocol, and at 23:30, Glandin E2 was inserted into the vagina and the baby's heartbeat was monitored. On November 22, another UTT Doppler examination was performed, and at 08:00, a diagnosis of "Pregnancy 1, 37 weeks 5 days, premature rupture of membranes, anemia 1st degree, 1st stage of labor" was made, and the delivery was planned to be carried out through conservative medical methods," the main department said.  

The Ministry confirmed that law enforcement authorities were informed, and the baby’s body was sent for pathological examination on November 23.  

The Ministry emphasized, "All necessary procedures were followed and assured that the incident is being thoroughly investigated."