Medical negligence alleged after newborn declared dead, found alive hours later
Kolkata: In a shocking incident in Swarupnagar in North 24 Parganas, serious allegations of medical negligence have been raised after a newborn, declared dead by a private nursing home, was later found alive just hours before burial on Thursday afternoon.
According to sources, the 28-year-old woman was admitted to the nursing home on Wednesday evening after experiencing labour pains. She delivered the baby on Thursday morning. Shortly after the birth, the nursing home authorities informed the family that the newborn had unfortunately passed away.
The baby’s body was subsequently wrapped in gauze and plastic and handed over to the family. However, in a dramatic turn of events, the infant was discovered to be alive hours later when the family was preparing for the burial, sparking outrage and raising concerns over the handling of the case. Recalling the incident, one of the family members told the Daily that they were mourning the death of the newborn baby after taking the baby home. To their utter shock, four or five hours later, when they unwrapped the kid for bidding farewell, they noticed movement in the legs and hands, reports Times of India.
“We were told the baby had died. They wrapped her in plastic and even tied her face. In exchange for Rs 400, the newborn was wrapped in a gauze bandage and a plastic sheet and handed over to us," a family member said. Immediately after seeing signs of life in the infant, family members took the baby to Basirhat District Hospital, where she is currently undergoing treatment. However, the condition of the baby and the mother is stable. The family registered an official complaint at the Swarupnagar police station, alleging medical negligence against the private hospital. Police have also started an investigation by questioning the people involved in the matter.
Nursing home authorities have denied any institutional negligence. "The doctor who declared the newborn dead was served a show-cause notice. There was no negligence on the part of the nursing home. If allegations are proven, appropriate action will be taken against the doctor," a nursing home official said.
