6 babies die in Andhra hospital incubator

Jyoti and Srihari, a rickshaw-puller, had a son on Friday, nine years after getting married. Within 24 hours, their newborn died in an accident along with five others in the hospital where they were born. Ashok Das reports.

Jyoti and Srihari, a rickshaw-puller, had a son on Friday, nine years after getting married. Within 24 hours, their newborn died in an accident along with five others in the hospital where they were born.

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The tragedy took place at the Old Government Hospital in Vijayawada on Saturday when an incubator — a life-saving machine used to keep premature babies warm — malfunctioned.

“Negligence by the hospital killed my baby,” wailed, Durga Bhavani (27), who along with Pratima (23) and Rahima(25), also lost their sons.

The hospital administration denies negligence. “As head of department, I can say the staff did their best,” said Venkateshwara Rao, deputy superintendent

The hospital has eight incubators and four ventilators. Patients allege none of the ventilators were working.

The state government has ordered a probe.