DNA test confirms baby swapping in Odisha hospital

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Burla, Jun 9:

Putting all confusions to rest in the baby girl swapping case at western Odisha’s premier medical institution Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR), the DNA report received by Burla police has established that the couple claiming to be the parents of the infant are indeed the father-mother of the child.

Notably, Gagan Bihari Patra of Naktideula area in Sambalpur district had brought his baby daughter to VIMSAR in Burla on May 21 for treatment. However, he was told by hospital authorities that his baby died while undergoing treatment and was handed over a dead girl child. Gagan refused to accept the deceased infant alleging that his child has been swapped. He claimed that the child in bed number 17 of the Sick New Born Care Unit (SNCU) was his baby. On the other hand, the parents of the child undergoing treatment on bed number 17 claimed that it was their child.

Gagan had filed a complaint at the Burla Police outpost alleging that his baby was swapped with another one in the hospital. Gagan and his wife didn’t accept that the dead baby girl was theirs and demanded a DNA test.

The blood samples of both the women and their babies were sent to State Forensic Lab in Bhubaneswar. After confirmation of the identity of the child through DNA test, it has been established that the alive baby belongs to Gagan and his wife and the deceased child was of the other couple.

The baby girl was handed over to her parents today in the presence of police and district Child Welfare Committee (CWC). However, she was admitted to the Sadar hospital ICU as her health condition turned critical, sources said.

“We are yet to receive the DNA test report. Strict action will be taken against any medical staff found responsible for the incident. Steps will be taken to avoid such incidents in future,” said Sunamali Bag, director of VIMSAR.