Neglect slur on staff as baby dies in Odisha hospital

Reported by Santosh Jagdev
Bhubaneswar, Aug 26:

After a spate of infant deaths reported at the Sishu Bhavan over the last six days, it was the turn of Capital Hospital, the premier government hospital in Odisha’s capital city, to face allegations of negligence by doctors and staff leading to the death of a five-month old baby today.

The parents of the infant complained that except for a bottle of saline, their child was not paid any attention by hospital staff leading to his death.

“We arrived at the hospital at 9 am, but we were made to wait for over an hour before my son was admitted. He was only administered saline and no other treatment,” said Priyadarshan Swain, the father of the dead child.

“The condition of my child was stable when he was admitted at 11 am. How could he die in three hours later. My child died only because of the negligence of doctors,” said Susama Swain,  the mother of the child, amid sobs.

Hospital authorities, however, have rejected the charge of neglect. “He was served all medicines and injections that his condition warranted. But unfortunately, he could not be saved. It has become a habit with people to acuuse hospital staff of neglect,” said the Superintendent of Capital Hospital.