Srinagar, Feb 04: An infant undergoing treatment at a government children’s hospital here was burnt to death allegedly due to the negligence of the hospital staff, leading to a public outcry, following which Governor’s Grievance cell has sought a report.
The baby girl, born at a private hospital five days ago, was admitted to the GB Pant Hospital on Saturday after developing some complications, family of the deceased child said.
They said the infant, who was in the intensive care unit, was declared dead by the doctors on Sunday.
“The baby had burn marks on the legs and other parts of the body. They had kept the baby very close to the blower (heater) which resulted in the death,” the family alleged.
However, Medical Superintendent of the hospital, Dr Kanwaljeet Singh, said that the newborn had “peripheral cyanosis”, which is also recorded in the referral “we received from Noora Hospital.”
He said that what appears to be burns in limbs are DIC (disseminated intravascular coagulation), known to cause discoloration of limbs.
Meanwhile, the alleged negligence of the medical staff at the hospital has led to a public outcry with many taking to social media to express their anger.
“Horrific reports coming in to suggest an outright murder of a new born in GB Pant hospital in Srinagar. Family from Kreeri alleges criminal negligence. Pictures are self-explanatory. We demand exemplary punishment and not mere eyewash in the name of enquiry,” PDP leader Suhail Bukhari, who hails from Kreeri, tweeted.
Taking note of the social media posts about the incident, the Governor’s Grievance Cell said it has taken up the matter with the Principal, Government Medical College, Srinagar.
A report in this regard has been sought by the Grievance Cell of the Governor following which a five member inquiry committee was constituted by the hospital, hospital authorities said.
“Mere picking up the matter won’t do much. A newborn has been seemingly murdered. A case of murder deserves to be filed for a formal inquiry because GMC Srinagar Hospitals have become too pampered,” a Twitter user wrote in response to Grievance Cell’s tweet.
Last month, a pregnant woman from north Kashmir’s Kupwara district was forced to deliver on the road in freezing conditions after a doctor at the Lalla Ded maternity hospital refused to admit the patient. The baby died in the cold.
The doctor concerned was suspended after the government ordered an inquiry.
