A DNA test has confirmed a woman’s claim that her newborn was exchanged at the Vijayanagar Institute of Medical Sciences (VIMS) on September 2.
Srinivasulu, hospital superintendent, told The Hindu that steps were being initiated to hand over the babies to their mothers.
Vishalakshi of Vaddatti village in Bellary taluk and Padma of Jagirbuddanahalli in Molakalmur taluk delivered babies at the hospital at the same time on August 31, after Caesarean section. One child was a boy and the other a girl. Ms. Vishalakshi claimed the hospital staff told her she had delivered a boy, but later found that she was given a girl. Later, her family took up the case with the doctor. Interestingly, the staff on duty wrote ‘M’ on the hands of both mothers, adding to the confusion.
While claiming that hospital records were correct, Lakshmi Narayan Reddy, director, VIMS, and Dr. Srinivasulu admitted that a mistake might have occurred while handing over the babies.
The hospital authorities got permission from a local court to carry out the DNA test to clear the confusion. The hospital authorities have decided to submit the report to the court.
