Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday ordered inquiry after a newborn declared dead at Max Hospital in New Delhi’s Shalimar Bagh was found alive just before cremation.
Of the twins born prematurely on November 30, one was stillborn and another was kept on life-support. On Thursday morning, the parents were told the baby had died and handed over the body in a plastic bag. But the family noticed the baby had signs of life just before cremation.
The Newborn and mother have been admitted to another hospital, where his condition is said to be stable.
In a tweet, Kejriwal said that strongest action would be taken against the hospital if found guilty.
Times Now reported that the hospital said has sent the doctor handling the case on forced leave.
"It has been brought to our attention that a pre-mature (22 weeks), newborn baby, who is reported to be on life support at a nursing home, was unfortunately handed over without any sign of life by Max Hospital, Shalimar Bagh. This baby was one of the twins delivered on November 30th morning. The other baby was still-born. We are shaken and concerned at this rare incident. We have initiated a detailed enquiry, pending which, the concerned doctor has been asked to proceed on leave immediately. We are in constant touch with the parents and are providing all the needed support," Max Hospital said in a statement.
The family has lodged a complaint with the police.
"It's a very shocking incident and a height of negligence. We have started an inquiry and investigation into the case. Also, consulting legal experts, the Delhi Medical Council and taking details of all circumstances. We will analyse the them and initiate action," Deependra Pathak, spokesperson of the Delhi police, told ANI.
Union health minister JP Nadda said he spoke to the health secretary in connection with the issue.
This incident came days after another private hospital, Fortis, in Gurugram was accused of charging the family of a seven-year-old dengue patient, who later died, almost Rs 18 lakh for 15 days in the ICU.
The family of the deceased, Adya Singh, had alleged that the doctors continued her treatment in the ICU, in full knowledge that her condition had deteriorated beyond cure.
"The doctors kept the child in ICU for so many days, but her brain had already damaged gradually which the doctors deliberately did not test. They continued the treatment knowing that her brain was dead," Jayant Singh, father of the deceased told ANI.
The story came to light after the friend of the child's father tweeted the incident with the exorbitant bill.
