Baby’s limb amputation pits parents against private hosp

Bareilly: It is nothing short of a nightmare for a young Bareilly couple, Rajeev Gangwar and Durgesh Parel, as their newborn daughter’s leg has been amputated due to severe infection within just over a month after her birth. The aggrieved family, which has filed a petition in court, has alleged medical negligence by a doctor at a private hospital in the posh Rampur Garden area.
“Our daughter was born with some complications on May 2 and was admitted to the hospital on May 4. Despite knowing that it was a critical case, he left the city and chose to treat her by instructing his staff over the phone. By the time he arrived, she had already developed an infection in her right leg,” said Rajeev.

On the other hand, the doctor in question claimed that the newborn was suffering from septicemia, a life-threatening condition that arises when the body’s response to infection causes injury to its own tissues. “The baby was born premature and her mother was suffering from several ailments including diabetes, hypothyroidism and urinary tract infection. After 13 hours of delivery, the baby’s blood test showed signs of infection for which antibiotics were started. After 30 hours, she was admitted to my hospital. Her blood culture report revealed presence of a bacteria which is resistant to antibiotics. Against my consent, the family decided to shift the newborn to a different hospital and we have that in writing,” he said.

Meanwhile, a three-doctor panel set up by chief medical officer Vijay Yadav after receiving a complaint from the newborn’s father has sought a “specialized probe” in the matter. “Statements of both the parties have been recorded. The panel is now looking for some specialized advice, given the complications in the case. We might refer the case to Medical Council of India if needed,” the CMO said.

The baby girl was admitted to another private hospital on May 8 and later to SRMS super specialty hospital, where the operation to amputate her right leg was performed on Saturday. "Her condition is still critical and we have kept her in the ICU," said Dr SK Handa, medical superintendent of SRMS hospital.