press trust of india
New Delhi, Dec 1: One of a pair of newborn premature twins declared dead by a hospital in Delhi was found to be alive by its parents right before last rites. The family has lodged a complaint with the police.
Max Hospital Shalimar Bagh had handled the delivery of the babies early Thursday after the woman, Varsha, was shifted to the hospital from a nursing home in Paschim Vihar. The hospital declared the twins dead and handed the ‘bodies’ in a polythene bag.
“She was admitted there November 28. The doctors had told the family that she was serious and the chances of survival of the twins were slim, as she was six months pregnant,” police said.
Varsha had given birth to a boy and a girl. The family was later informed that the twins were stillborn and their bodies handed to them. The father of the twins noticed the boy moving at the crematorium as the preparations for last rites were being made.
“We tore the packet, he was wrapped in 2-3 pieces of cloth and polythene bags. The baby was still breathing. We rushed him to a nearby nursing home in Pitampura,” the man said.
Max Hospital in a statement said: “It has been brought to our attention that a premature (22 weeks), newborn 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 November 30 morning. The other baby was stillborn. We are shaken and concerned at this rare incident.”
The statement said a detailed enquiry was initiated, pending which, the doctor concerned was asked to proceed on leave immediately and that they were in constant touch with the parents and were providing all the support required.
Meanwhile, the central government has asked the Delhi government to look into the incident. “It is very unfortunate. I have directed the Delhi government to look into the matter and take necessary action,” Health Minister JP Nadda told reporters.
The Delhi government, in turn, has ordered a probe into the incident and sought a preliminary report within three days.
“An inquiry regarding the said incident is to be initiated and a preliminary report is to be submitted within 72 hours and a final report within a week,” a Delhi government order read.
