In Mumbai: Mother claims Sion hospital swapped her newborn boy with girl

A Malad-based woman, who delivered a child at Sion hospital on Wednesday, has accused authorities of swapping her baby. Jayant Gupta’s family alleged the hospital staff initially said the newborn was a boy, but later said it was a girl child.

A Malad-based woman, who delivered a child at Sion hospital on Wednesday, has accused authorities of swapping her baby. Jayant Gupta’s family alleged the hospital staff initially said the newborn was a boy, but later said it was a girl child.

While the Sion police station registered a complaint, they have not found any evidence supporting the allegation. (HT File Photo)

While the Sion police station registered a complaint, they have not found any evidence supporting the allegation. “There is no evidence to indicate the baby was swapped. But the family is certain she was. If they don’t agree, we will recommend a DNA test,” said Dattaram Girap, police inspector at the Sion police station.

Dr Suleman Merchant, the dean of the hospital, did not respond to HT’s calls, text message and was unavailable to meet this correspondent in person.

Hospital records showed Gupta was admitted in hospital on October 25. At 10.16am, she complained of labour pains and delivered a child a day later at 12.30pm. Sources confirmed that as the delivery took place through a caesarean surgery, Jayanti was unconscious and the nurses informed the family about the child birth. Dinesh Sao, Jayanti’s father said they were shown a baby boy by the nurses.

The family then got into an altercation with the hospital staff and filed a police complaint.

The police are now waiting for the report by the hospital for further action.

Hospital staff however, said that the system is fool proof and such negligence is not possible.

“We have specially coded tags for mothers and children which aren’t removed until they are discharged. Secondly, soon after a child birth we take signatures of the family which bears a footprint of the child,” said a gynaecologist and obstetrician, requesting anonymity. Sources said the hospital had ordered an internal probe into the allegations.

Girap said the police were also waiting for the hospital’s internal investigation.