The authorities of Special New Born Care Unit (SNCU) of Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medial Sciences and Research (VIMSAR) at Burla have ordered tests on a dead infant after a couple alleged that their baby had been swapped.
The couple -- Gagan Bihari Patra and Reena Patra, of Podakhol village under Sambalpur district -- had filed a police complaint alleging baby-swapping in the top government hospital.
According to the police, Ms Patra had given birth to a baby girl at the Naktideul hospital on May 17. However, when the baby did not cry after birth, she was referred to the VIMSAR at Burla. The baby was allotted bed number 16.
Another couple, Sudam Bhoi and Sanjukta Bhoi of Bhaunripathar in Boudh district, had also admitted their baby girl.
“Hospital authorities on Saturday informed me that my baby had died due to serious illness. But when I went inside the SNCU, the baby lying on the bed was not mine. My baby was alive and was on bed no 17,” Mr Patra said, adding that the hospital authorities did not listen.
The other couple charged that false baby-swapping accusation was made in order to take their child away. Preliminary investigation into the allegation stated that there was no truth in the allegations, said Tophan Bag, Inspector-in-charge of Burla police station.
