by Mir Suneem
Srinagar
Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar on Monday ordered a probe into the death of a newborn at GB Pant Hospital and constituted a five-member committee to investigate the issue and submit the report within 48 hours.
The order of GMC read, “In reference to the Medical Superintendent GB Pant hospital, Srinagar letter no GBP/11049 dated 04/02/2019 an inquiry committee is hereby constituted to investigate the complaint”
Earlier, a family from Kreeri area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district alleged the medical authorities at the hospital for their negligence leading to the death of their new-born baby girl.
The baby was born in a private hospital and referred to GB Pant Hospital Sonwar, Srinagar for specialized treatment on February 1, after she had developed some medical complications and was admitted to the Neonatal Intensive care unit (ICU) of the hospital.
Two days later, the baby died. The family alleged the death was caused due to the ignorance of paramedical staff and hospital authorities as they had kept a heating blower close to the baby and continuous exposure to heat lead to the death of a baby.
“A blower was kept too close to the body of my baby that caused severe burns in her limbs resulting to her death,” said Aijaz Ahmad Wani, father of the baby.
He demanded a probe and strict action against the doctors and staff responsible.
However, the hospital authorities denied the claims and said the baby was suffering a rare disorder.
“The newborn had internal health problems and what appeared like burns were actually disseminated Intravascular Coagulation,” said the Medical Superintendent of the Hospital.
Meanwhile, the incident was condemned by former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti.
Taking to social networking site Twitter, Mehbooba wrote: “No words are enough to condemn the criminal negligence at GB Panth hospital, where a newborn baby was allegedly burnt to death. Hope an exemplary punishment is given to the culprits responsible for this horrific incident so that no other child meets this kind of fate.”
