Newborn dies at Bandipora Hospital, family alleges negligence

Bandipora, Aug 29: A newborn baby died at District Hospital Bandipora, prompting the family to stage a protest and allege negligence and lapses in the handling of the case.
According to the family, Parveena Ajas, 28, wife of Irfan Ahmad Sheikh of Bandipora, was admitted to the hospital on August 26 at around 10:00 am for the delivery of her first baby.
The family alleged that the condition of the mother and newborn required timely medical intervention and questioned why the patient was not referred to a higher medical centre when, according to them, such a referral was warranted.
The newborn subsequently died, following which relatives and family members gathered at the hospital and staged a protest, demanding an impartial inquiry and accountability.
The family has specifically sought an investigation into the treatment provided to the mother and newborn, the medical decisions taken during the case and the alleged delay in referral. They have urged the authorities to ascertain whether any lapse or delay contributed to the death.
The Medical Superintendent of District Hospital Bandipora said that a team would be constituted to ascertain and clarify the facts of the case.
The development has also renewed concerns among locals regarding the availability of specialised emergency services and an effective referral mechanism at the district hospital. Residents said that pregnant women, newborns and critically ill patients require timely assessment and, wherever necessary, immediate referral to tertiary-care facilities.
Locals have also demanded adequate deployment of doctors, specialists, paramedical and other essential staff at the hospital. They further called for giving due consideration to qualified local manpower in recruitment and engagement, wherever permissible under government rules, to strengthen healthcare services in the district.
Residents said the inquiry should establish the complete sequence of events from the patient’s admission until the death of the newborn and determine whether there was any delay in treatment or referral. (KNS)