Investigation into the alleged deaths of 13 newborns in 18 days at state-run Keonjhar district headquarters hospital (DHH) in Keonjhar district has been started. A two-member team from the state is conducting the investigation. The team comprises Dr RN Panda and Dr Rashmi Ranjan Satpathy.
Health and Family Welfare Minister NK Das had on Sunday sought a detailed report from the DHH authorities on the alleged deaths in the Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) of the DHH in the mineral-rich district.
However, Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) Keonjhar, Dr Sujata Rani Mishra termed the deaths of 13 newborns normal occurrences.
“I admit that four newborn babies died in 24 hours and 13 such deaths in 18 days. But it is common when the total admission is considered. In 18 days, as many as 122 newborns were admitted to the SNCU. 10 percent death of total patients at the SNCU is considered as normal,” said Mishra.
“Of the four newborn deaths, two were inborn and two were out born. And they were very sick,” Mishra added.
Notably, tension gripped Keonjhar DHH after irate family members of dead newborn babies had created a ruckus over alleged allegation of medical negligence claiming six babies’ lives in 24 hours on Sunday.
Holding the medical authorities responsible for the deaths, the infuriated parents and their relatives entered into a heated argument with the authorities and demanded action against the responsible ones.
Subsequently, Kama Dehury, a grief-stricken parent who lost his newborn baby, lodged a complaint with the town police station, demanding stringent action against the guilty ones.
“I had admitted my wife to Kanjpani government hospital following labour pain. The doctor there sent us to the Keonjhar DHH. The doctor here performed an operation to deliver the baby. They then asked us to take our baby to Cuttack saying it is suffering fits. It was when I said I am a poor man and couldn’t afford the treatment cost in Cuttack that they kept it in the ICU,” rued Dehury.
“We are investigating into the allegation. The DHH’s internal expert team will also initiate a probe into the allegation. Stringent action will be taken against them who will be found responsible for the death.” Keonjhar ASP Biranchi Prasad Dehury had said on Sunday.