Patna: A 28-year-old woman in Bihar's Samastipur died after undergoing a sterilization procedure performed by a junior staff member at a private healthcare center in the absence of a doctor, media reports said.

The incident occurred in Musrigharari, a small town within Samastipur district, situated nearly 80 km away from the state capital, Patna, reported NDTV.

Babita Devi's relatives stated that they took her to the Anisha Healthcare Center for the sterilization procedure, which is located on the first floor of a two-story building.

According to the woman's family, the center informed them of the unavailability of a doctor and proceeded with the surgery conducted by a compounder.

They said the patient had died during the procedure at the hospital but the staff did not inform them. Instead, they rushed her to a hospital in Mohanpur (about 10 km away), the report said.

After Babita Devi's death was confirmed, her relatives returned her body to the Anisha healthcare center and staged a protest.

The family accused healthcare centers in Musrigharari town of operating without doctors, and compounders conducting all medical procedures and jeopardizing patients' lives.

Meanwhile, the staff of the Anisha Healthcare Center are on the run.

The woman's relatives are demanding legal action against each of them.

Faizul Ansari, the in-charge of the local police station, stated that they have launched an investigation into the matter and will take appropriate action against those found responsible.