BRAMPTON — What began as a joyous delivery of their third child turned into tragedy for Gurinder Sidhu, whose wife Ravinder Kaur Sidhu died from postpartum sepsis just days after giving birth at Mississauga’s Credit Valley Hospital.
The 35-year-old mother of three developed fever, vomiting and violent chills shortly after her son’s birth on June 19. Gurinder says it took more than 30 hours before doctors administered antibiotics, a delay he believes cost her life.
“They waited — just for a simple $2 antibiotic — they waited 30 hours,” he said. “She was ignored, totally ignored.”
By June 21, Ravinder had developed necrotizing fasciitis (flesh-eating disease). Doctors removed infected tissue from her leg and later performed a hysterectomy after discovering her uterus and ovaries were “completely necrotic.” Despite emergency transfer to Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto, Ravinder died on June 23.
A preventable loss?
Ravinder’s sister, an ICU nurse, warned hospital staff that her sibling was showing signs of septic shock, but the family says those warnings were dismissed. Experts stress that early detection and immediate broad-spectrum antibiotics are critical to treating sepsis.
Western University immunologist Mansour Haeryfar explained that sepsis can trigger a fatal “cytokine storm” if not controlled quickly:
“When you see those red flags, you have to intervene. If not, there could be really deadly consequences.”
Calls for accountability
Ravinder, a Brampton accountant who co-owned three physiotherapy clinics with her husband, leaves behind three young children under the age of eight. Gurinder says the family’s life has been “devastated” and is calling for an independent review of her care.
He has filed complaints with Credit Valley Hospital and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. Trillium Health Partners, which oversees the hospital, offered condolences but said it cannot comment on patient details.
The Ministry of Health called the case “tragic and troubling,” stressing hospitals must uphold the highest standards of care and conduct reviews of critical incidents.
Meanwhile, Gurinder has launched a petition with nearly 5,000 signatures demanding transparency and accountability:
“All those who were involved should be held accountable… If this is not killing, then what is?”
An investigation into Ravinder’s death is ongoing.