NEW DELHI: In a case of serious medical negligence, one of newborn twins declared dead by Max Hospital in Shalimar Bagh was found to be alive by the family that was going to perform their last rites.
“After being declared dead, the babies were given to us in plastic packets. While we were going to cremate them, we noticed movement in one bag. On opening it, we found the baby was breathing. We immediately rushed to a nearby hospital,” said Ashish, father of the twins.
According to the family, the twins were born on Thursday at 7:30 am. Doctors told the father that the girl had died and boy was alive but very critical and required ventilator support.
“Very unfortunate incident. I have asked Delhi government to look into it and take necessary action. I appeal to states to adopt the Clinical Establishments Act so that regulatory authorities are operative and can see working and functioning of private institutions,” Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare J P Nadda said.
The government has initiated an inquiry and asked the Health Department to submit a preliminary report in three days. Delhi Police has registered a case of attempt to commit culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
Max Healthcare said they have asked the doctor incharge to proceed on leave immediately and they are in touch with the family.
“An inquiry regarding the said incident is to be initiated and preliminary report is to be submitted in 72 hours and final report is to be submitted within a week,” Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain said.
Hospital authorities said they are touch with the parents and providing all support to them.
“It has been brought to our attention that a pre-mature (22 weeks), new born baby who is reported to be on life support at a nursing home was unfortunately handed over without any sign of life by Max Hospital Shalimar Bagh. This baby was one of the twins delivered on Nov 30th morning. The other baby was still-born. We are shaken and concerned at this rare incident.
We have initiated a detailed enquiry, pending which, the concerned doctor has been asked to proceed on leave immediately. We are in constant touch with the parents and are providing all the needed support.” Max Healthcare authorities said in a statement. Indian Medical association dubbed the incident as “unfortunate” and said the hospital was culpable if a junior doctor was deployed in the emergency service.