Infant died due to delay in treatment as ambulance got stuck in traffic: Report

The committee constituted by the Haryana Government to investigate the death of an infant at Sonipat has found that the ambulance carrying the baby was stuck in traffic jam for about 20 to 30 minutes on Tuesday due to the cycle rally of state Congress chief Ashok Tanwar.

The Director General, Haryana Health Services, Dr Satish Agarwal on Friday submitted investigation report in the death case of newborn in Sonipat to Health Minister Anil Vij.

After receiving the report, the Health Minister said that the committee has informed in its report that all documents were obtained and statements were recorded of the ambulance driver, fleet manager and paediatrician. On the basis of these evidences, the main reason for the death of newborn was delay in reaching hospital as the ambulance was struck in traffic, he said.

The members of the committee constituted to investigate the matter including deputy civil surgeon and senior medical officer thoroughly investigated the matter, Vij said.

 The committee in its report has mentioned that a call was received at Sonipat office of National Ambulance Service for ambulance from Divya Private Hospital Maniyari Pyau at 11:21 am  to refer a newborn to Civil Hospital Sonipat. Acting swiftly, the hospital management sent the ambulance from Community Health Centre Badkhalsa at 11:22 am which reached Divya Hospital within 10 minutes.

As per the report, it takes 15 minutes to reach Civil Hospital from Divya Hospital, but that day the ambulance got stuck in jam caused due to cycle rally of Ashok Tanwar and reached the hospital after about 20 to 30 minutes. Thereafter, the newborn was taken to special newborn care Unit where doctors found that the newborn was in critical condition with low heartbeat, Vij said. Doctors made all out efforts, but were unsuccessful so the newborn was referred to PGIMS, Rohtak where he died during treatment, he added.

The Health Minister said that an FIR has been registered in the matter. Police has been investigating the matter and action would be taken against those found guilty, he said.

A day before, an FIR was registered in the case under Section 304A and 177 (Motor Vehicles Act) in a police station at Kundli.

Expressing grief over the death, Ashok Tanwar on Friday said that he met the family but it is unfortunate that the BJP in its frustration is politicizing this incident.