A newborn, declared ‘dead’ at Safdarjung Hospital on Sunday, was found to be alive by the family just before the burial.
A Badarpur resident delivered the baby on Sunday morning but the nursing staff allegedly failed to find any sign of breathing. “The doctor and nursing staff declared the baby dead. They sealed the body and handed it over to us,” said the child’s father, Rohit.
The mother stayed in the hospital as her condition wasn’t stable, while the rest of the family took the body for burial. However, Mr. Rohit’s sister suddenly felt some movement in the body bag. When they opened it, the baby was breathing and moving its limbs.
‘Gross negligence’
The baby was rushed to Apollo Hospital, from where it was moved to Safdarjung. The parents have approached the police. “How can they be so irresponsible? This gross negligence should be punished,” Mr. Rohit said.
A. K. Rai, Safdarjung Medical Superintendent, said, “The woman had delivered a 22-week-old premature baby...We have ordered an inquiry to find out whether it was checked properly if the baby was alive or not before being declared dead.”
