16 newborn die in a week at Chhattisgarh hospital
By: Express News Service | Raipur | Posted: December 10, 2014 1:54 am
Mani Sahu’s first baby, born at Bilaspur’s Chhattisgarh Institute of Medical Sciences Saturday, did not survive even 72 hours. He was among 16 infants who died within days of birth in the last week at CIMS. While some had low birthweight, others died due to lack of medicare facilities.
However, while the number of babies admitted in the hospital continues to go up and the child ward gets crammed, the government does not have any plan to shift the infants to other hospitals.
Significantly, while doctors admitted to the lack of facilities, Chhattisgarh Health Minister Amar Agrawal defended the hospital. “What is the fault of doctors or CIMS? No private hospital admits such babies. Serious cases come only to government hospitals. If some deaths take place, how can you hold CIMS responsible?”
Bilaspur CMHO O P Saxena had a curious take. “People are becoming aware and are coming to hospitals in large numbers. It is the responsibility of women and child development department to ensure that pregnant women receive proper nourishment,” he said.
Doctors, however, said the hospital does not have sufficient facilities at its newborn care unit, and instead of doctors, interns look after patients.
If a baby develops ailments after birth, it needs to be kept in incubator and each machine should have only one baby. In CIMS, a machine accommodates up to four babies, raising infection risks.
A neonatal ICU is closed since it was set up years ago and ventilators have no compressors. “Medical Council of India rules say that interns will operate only under doctors’ supervision. Here they are running the hospital,” said a doctor.
Health Secretary Dr Alok Shukla admitted the “lack of capacity and shortage of doctors” but said the babies were extremely malnourished and doctors tried their best to save them. “I have formed a committee to review every case,” he said.
Dissatisfied with the government’s response, some parents created ruckus in the hospital Tuesday. “They (doctors) made me sign a blank paper yesterday. Today they said the baby is dead),” said Mani Sahu.
Over 30 babies are still admitted in CIMS. Their condition is deteriorating, the hospital is crowded but the government has not shifted them. “There are too many babies here, 40 in one unit. We don’t know what to do,” said a father.
However, while the number of babies admitted in the hospital continues to go up and the child ward gets crammed, the government does not have any plan to shift the infants to other hospitals.
Significantly, while doctors admitted to the lack of facilities, Chhattisgarh Health Minister Amar Agrawal defended the hospital. “What is the fault of doctors or CIMS? No private hospital admits such babies. Serious cases come only to government hospitals. If some deaths take place, how can you hold CIMS responsible?”
Bilaspur CMHO O P Saxena had a curious take. “People are becoming aware and are coming to hospitals in large numbers. It is the responsibility of women and child development department to ensure that pregnant women receive proper nourishment,” he said.
Doctors, however, said the hospital does not have sufficient facilities at its newborn care unit, and instead of doctors, interns look after patients.
If a baby develops ailments after birth, it needs to be kept in incubator and each machine should have only one baby. In CIMS, a machine accommodates up to four babies, raising infection risks.
A neonatal ICU is closed since it was set up years ago and ventilators have no compressors. “Medical Council of India rules say that interns will operate only under doctors’ supervision. Here they are running the hospital,” said a doctor.
Health Secretary Dr Alok Shukla admitted the “lack of capacity and shortage of doctors” but said the babies were extremely malnourished and doctors tried their best to save them. “I have formed a committee to review every case,” he said.
Dissatisfied with the government’s response, some parents created ruckus in the hospital Tuesday. “They (doctors) made me sign a blank paper yesterday. Today they said the baby is dead),” said Mani Sahu.
Over 30 babies are still admitted in CIMS. Their condition is deteriorating, the hospital is crowded but the government has not shifted them. “There are too many babies here, 40 in one unit. We don’t know what to do,” said a father.
No comments:
Post a Comment