Assam: Expert panel absolves government hospital of negligence in death of 8 newborns
The committee stated that the ‘condition of the deceased newborns was very critical, and most of the mothers also suffered from pregnancy-related complications’.
An expert committee on Friday absolved a Barpeta hospital of negligence for the death of eight newborns within a period of 24 hours earlier this week.
Eight newborns died within a period of 24 hours at the Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Medical College and Hospital earlier this week. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)
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“No negligence has been found on the part of doctors, nurses and working staff at the Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Medical College and Hospital,” a report submitted by the panel, constituted by the state government, said.
The deaths, which occurred between Wednesday and Thursday, raised questions about healthcare facilities in Assam and spurred Opposition parties to seek the resignation of health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The three-member committee, which conducted a survey of the hospital on Thursday night, stated in its report that all facilities at the sick neonatal care unit housing the newborns were up to the mark with adequate doctors and nursing staff.
The committee stated that the “condition of the deceased newborns was very critical, and most of the mothers also suffered from pregnancy-related complications”.
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“Besides this, four of the eight babies were of low birth weight and suffered from severe birth asphyxia (a respiratory complication). A majority of the mothers didn’t have proper antenatal care and had come to the hospital very late — while in labour — and two were home deliveries,” the report added.
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“Besides this, four of the eight babies were of low birth weight and suffered from severe birth asphyxia (a respiratory complication). A majority of the mothers didn’t have proper antenatal care and had come to the hospital very late — while in labour — and two were home deliveries,” the report added.
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The experts stated that all the patients were attended to instantly, and adequate care was accorded during delivery. Most of the mothers also suffered from complications such as severe anaemia, and they were saved only due to proper care administered at the hospital, they added.
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