Max hospital case: Newborn dies a week after doctors wrongly declared him dead

The baby, who was declared dead by Max Hospital , started moving while being taken for last rites. He was being treated in a clinic in Pitampura.

New Delhi

The infant was wrongly declared dead by doctors at the Max Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, in New Delhi (HT file photo)

A newborn who was wrongly declared dead by a private hospital in Delhi has died due to “infection and other medical problems”, a family member said on Wednesday.

The boy, who was born prematurely in Max Hospital in Shalimar Bagh on Nov 30, died in a clinic in Pitampura, where he was being treated for a week after his parents found him alive while taking the “body” for final rites.

His uncle Deepak Kumar who told HT that the boy died during treatment added that the body was taken to Safdarjung Hospital for post mortem and remains there. The family has refused to perform the last rites unless action is taken against Max Hospital

“We just learnt of the sad demise of the 23-week preterm baby, who was on ventilator support,” Max Healthcare authorities said in a statement.

“Our deepest condolences are with the parents and other family members. While we understand that survival in extreme preterm births is rare, it is always painful for the parents and family. We wish them the strength to cope with their loss,” it said.

A Delhi government probe panel had on Tuesday found the Max hospital guilty of negligence in declaring the child, a twin, dead. His sister was stillborn.

After the death of the child, the police investigation into the alleged medical negligence has been transferred from North West district police to Crime Branch.

“The notification came late Wednesday evening stating that the case has been transferred to Crime Branch,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police (North West) Aslam Khan. Joint Commissioner of Police (crime branch) Alok Kumar also confirmed that they would probe the case now.

The police had registered a case under section 308 i.e attempt to commit culpable homicide of the Indian Penal Code which was not changed to Section 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) till late Wednesday evening.

In his complaint to police, baby’s father Ashish Kumar, had said the boy had contracted an infection after being wrapped in a plastic bag by the Max Hospital.

Ashish’s brother, Deepak Kumar,said doctors informed the family about the child’s death around 12:45pm even as he demanded action against Max Hospital. The health facility had recently sacked two doctors over negligence in the case.

Khan also said security was stepped up outside Max Hospital following protests after the death.