Odisha hospital orders probe into newborn deaths

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Cuttack, Aug 21:

The authorities of the government-run Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Post Graduate Institute of Paediatrics (SVPPGIP), better known as Sishu Bhavan, here have ordered a departmental probe into the newborn deaths in the last 24 hours.

A four-member team headed by head of the department (HoD) of Paediatrics Department of SVPPGIP has been constituted to inquire into the death of three newborns in the last 24 hours due to alleged medical negligence. The Superintendent of the state-run hospital Dr Niranjan Mohanty has ordered a departmental probe and sought the inquiry report within 24 hours.

Earlier in the day, tension ran high at the paediatrics institute here after the death of three neonates last night allegedly due to medical negligence.

The parents and relatives of the deceased children accused the doctors and para-medical staff of negligence leading to their death.

Following uproarious scenes at the premier medical college and hospital, the parents of two deceased children lodged separate complaints at the Lalbag police station today.

The newborns were referred to Sishu Bhavan from Jagatsinghpu, Tigiria in Cuttack, and Puri for treatment.

According to reports, the newborns were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) with complaints of pneumonia and jaundice. However, they succumbed last night sparking tension in the paediatrics college and hospital.