Family alleges baby swapping in Bhima Bhoi MCH

Bolangir: Baby swapping allegations at hospitals have once again surfaced in Odisha after a family from Bolangir district lodged a complaint alleging that their healthy newborn was exchanged and sent to Burla hospital in place of another baby at the Bhima Bhoi Medical College and Hospitalyesterday which ultimately led to his death.

According to reports, Pankajini, the wife of Pabitra Khadia of Brahmanipali village under Deogaon blockin Bolangir was admitted to the MCH on December 25 and a day later she delivered a baby boy.

The newborn was kept in the Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) of the hospital.

Yesterday night, an employee of the hospital asked one Rabichandra of Lukapada village to shift his baby boy to Burla Hospital since his condition was critical.

However, while admitting the baby at Burla hospital, Rabichandraclosely inspected the tag affixed with the newborn and found that the baby belonged to Pabitra and PankajiniKhadia.

After he complained about the matter, Pabitra and his wife immediately rushed to the Burla hospital hospital but their newborn baby died under treatment.

Pabitra alleged that his baby was healthy when born but due to the negligence and callous attitude of the hospital authorities he was swapped and ultimately died.

Following the incident, Pabitra lodged a complaint at the Town police station and demanded stringent action against the hospital authorities.

“My wife was admitted to the hospital on December 25 and she delivered a baby on next day morning. The baby was healthy and the doctor came for check up and they exchanged the new born in the night without our knowledge,” Pabitra said.

Meanwhile, the hospital authorities have also admitted fault from their side. They said that the confusion arose due to the similar name of the mothers Pankajini Khadia and Pankajini Gartia.