Bolangir: Another case of baby swapping allegations at Bolangir Bhima Bhoi Medical College and Hospital has once again surfaced after a family alleged of their healthy newborn being exchanged Friday.
The family lodged a complaint alleging that their health newborn was exchanged and sent to Burla-based VSS Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR) hospital in place of another baby at the Bhima Bhoi Medical College and Hospital Thursday evening.
The family members approached the police and the medical authorities and demanded a probe into the incident.
According to ources, Pabitra Khadia’s wife Pankajini of Brahmanipali village under Deogaon block in Bolangir district was admitted to the MCH December 25 after she experienced labour pain. A day later, she delivered a baby boy and was kept in the Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) of the hospital.
Similarly, another person identified as Pankajini Gartia, wife of Rabichandra of Kukapada village had also admitted her baby to the SNCU. After the baby’s condition worsened, the hospital staff asked Rabichandra to shift his baby boy to Burla Hospital.
Later, the hospital nurses took a baby and handed over to Rabichandra. However, while admitting the baby at Burla hospital, Rabichandra found that the baby belonged to Pabitra and Pankajini, after he closely inspected the tag affixed with the newborn.
He then informed Pankajini and Pabitra over the swapping. On getting the information, Pabitra and his wife rushed to the Burla hospital but found their newborn baby dead.
Pabitra alleged that his baby was healthy. However, due to the negligence and callous attitude of the hospital authorities the baby was swapped and died untimely, Pabitra alleged.
The death was due to the alleged medical negligence. He also leveled allegations that the babies were swapped due to the ignorance of the hospital staff.
Pabitra also lodged a complaint with the Town police and demanded strict action against the hospital authorities.
The hospital authorities have also taken responsibility for their mistake. They claimed that they were confused due to identical names of their mothers Pankajini Khadia and Pankajini Gartia.
PNN