A hospital in Daqing, a city in northeastern China’s Heilongjiang province, has been accused of contributing to a pregnant woman’s death after refusing to admit her due to lack of space. The local health commission announced the results of its preliminary investigation Sunday, suspending relevant medical staff, The Beijing News reported.

The deceased woman’s husband, surnamed Yan, wrote Wednesday in a since-deleted post on microblogging platform Weibo that the obstetrics department at Daqing Oilfield General Hospital refused to admit his wife — a pregnant 39-year-old surnamed Liu — because no beds were available. Although the hospital later admitted Liu, she died Tuesday, six days after giving birth. Yan has accused the hospital of neglect and misconduct leading to his wife’s death and demanded that local authorities investigate the case.

Daqing’s health and family planning commission announced the results of its preliminary investigation Sunday, determining that the couple were directed to another hospital some 20 minutes’ drive away but instead went home. Daqing Oilfield General Hospital later called Liu and Yan after a bed became available, the investigation said, adding that the patient was attentively cared for once she had checked in.

The medical staff involved — the commission did not say how many — have been suspended while the investigation awaits Liu’s autopsy, according to the report. The infant is alive and under close watch at the hospital. (Image: VCG)