New Delhi: A newborn was declared dead along with his still-born twin by an upscale Delhi hospital and was about to be buried when his parents discovered that he was alive. The horrifying case of negligence has emerged at a time another private hospital is being investigated for overcharging the parents of a seven-year-old girl who died of dengue.
The twins, born yesterday, were handed over to the family in plastic bags after being declared dead at the Max Hospital in Shalimar Bagh. On the way to the burial, the parents realized, to their utter shock, that one of the babies was squirming in its bag.
The family rushed to a nearby hospital in the bustling Kashmere Gate area, where they were told that their baby boy was alive.
One of the twins was declared still-born soon after their birth. The other twin, the parents were told, needed critical medical care and had to be kept in the nursery for some days. The family was reportedly debating its options, anticipating a whopping bill, when the parents were told that their second baby was also dead.
It was not dead, the family discovered just about an hour later.
The second baby is recovering in another hospital.
Max says the doctor responsible for the outrageous negligence has been sent on leave. In a statement, the hospital said the "22-week premature baby" was handed over without any sign of life.
"We are shaken and concerned at this rare incident. We have initiated a detailed enquiry, pending which, the concerned doctor has been asked to proceed on leave immediately. We are in constant touch with the parents and are providing all the needed support," said Max Healthcare.
The hospital faces an investigation by the Delhi police, which called it "a very shocking incident and the height of negligence".
Last month, the parents of a seven-year-old girl who died of dengue after a fortnight at Gurgaon's Fortis hospital alleged that they were allowed to take their child's body only after they paid a Rs. 18 lakh bill that allegedly included the cost of 2,700 gloves. The charge is being investigated by the government.
Max hospital in Delhi's Shalimar Bagh now faces an investigation by the Delhi police
