The miracle was not just short-lived, but also the beginning of another ordeal for the family of migrant labourers, who have accused Safdarjung Hospital of being apathetic even when the newborn was re-admitted there.
“First, they declared him dead. When we took the baby back, we were told that he needed a special machine [later the hospital called it a warmer] to keep him alive. When we took the baby to a room we were directed to, there was no machine available,” said Kalliram, the grandfather of the newborn.
Ultimately, the family turned to local MLA Narayan Dutt Sharma, who wrote to Health Minister Satyendar Jain, asking for the case to be considered “sympathetically”. The family added that a warmer was provided after this that.
‘Offer sweets, cops said’
The newborn would have been Rohit and Shanti Devi’s fourth child. Another son of theirs has also been admitted to Safdarjung Hospital. Mr. Kalliram and others complained that the two policemen who attended the call after the baby was found alive told them to ‘distribute sweets’ and not seek action against the hospital.
