Baby with deformity dies after hospitals refuse admission

Just as Shyam and Sangeeta Sharma were celebrating the joy of having a new member in their family, their dreams were shattered after their baby born with a deformity died after three days.

Just as Shyam and Sangeeta Sharma were celebrating the joy of having a new member in their family, their dreams were shattered after their baby born with a deformity died after three days.

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The couple, from Uttar Pradesh claimed to have approached four hospitals. However, all of them allegedly refused to admit their son citing lack of space in the rooms.

“We approached KEM, JJ, Nair and Wadia Hospitals but all gave the same reply,” Chedhi Sharma, Sangeeta’s father-in-law said. Sangeeta gave birth to a boy on November 11 at the Sai Samadhan nursing home in Kandivli (east) under the supervision of Dr Nitin Shah. But the child was born with a deformity in which his anus was lifted up to his back.

The doctor informed Sharmas that the child could be cured if immediately operated upon. “Since we did not have advanced facilities, we told them to get the child admitted to hospitals which could carry out the operation,” Dr Shah said.

The couple lost their child on November 13. Dr RV Ranavare, dean, Nair Hospital, said: “I am sure there is some misunderstanding. Space is never a constraint at our hospital.”