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Published on February 22, 2008

An eight-month-pregnant woman died in suspicious circumstances at Trang Hospital.

Tawan Janmud said his 30-year-old wife Uraiwan was admitted to hospital after a minor motorcycle accident on February 13. She was first admitted to Nayong Hospital and then transferred to Trang Hospital, where she underwent a brain scan.

Tawan said a doctor told him his wife was safe but had a blood clot in her brain that needed to be treated with thrombolytic or clot-dissolving drugs. The doctor expected his wife's symptoms to improve in three days.

After the initial check-up, the doctor wanted to insert an oxygen tube into the patient's mouth. However, when Uraiwan complained of pain, he decided to conduct a laryngectomy and deliver oxygen through a hole in her throat. The doctor promised this method would also control the production of saliva and prevent infection.

On Wednesday, Tawan said he saw his wife drooling, so he called for a nurse. However, when he was ignored, he decided to wipe her clean himself. As soon as he came back from washing his hands, he found Uraiwan was not breathing and her body had stiffened.

"I tried to call nurses to help my wife, but it was too late. My wife and child died before they came," he said.

He believes his wife's death was caused by malpractice and says he will take the hospital to court.

Meanwhile, Trang Hospital's director Dr Somnuek Chuetong said Tawan would receive Bt200,000 in compensation under the national healthcare scheme. The hospital will also set up a committee to look into the case.

Pol Lt-General Prasert Songsang said the case was under investigation and police were waiting for results to confirm the cause of Uraiwan's death.

The Nation