Five newborns die in Ajmer govt hospital, parents allege negligence

In a tragic incident, five newborns died at a government hospital in Rajasthan’s Ajmer city.

Five newborns died at the neonatal unit of the JLN Government Hospital in Ajmer on Sunday.

In a tragic incident, five newborns died at a government hospital in Rajasthan’s Ajmer city. (Representative Picture)

Parents of the children have accused the hospital staff of negligence, which led to the deaths.

“They (resident doctors on duty) did not call a specialist doctor despite my repeated request...when the condition of my son started deteriorating after midnight,” said Manohar Singh of Richmali village. “No one responded to our calls to check our children,” said Seema, who lost her son.

Hospital authorities have denied any medical negligence on the part of the doctors and nursing staff. “All of them (infants) were brought [from different hospitals] in a moribund condition,” said Dr BS Karnawat, head of the paediatrics department. “In some cases, we have noted that nothing could be done.” He, however, accepted that no senior doctor was called in when the parents raised concerns about their children’s deteriorating condition. “No specialist doctor visited the hospital,” said Dr Karnawat.

Child welfare minister Anita Bhadel gave the administration a clean chit, while Ajmer district collector Gaurav Goyal has ordered a probe.