Delhi: Seven-month-old in need of surgery dies after being denied admission by major hospitals | Latest News Delhi - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Delhi: Seven-month-old in need of surgery dies after being denied admission by major hospitals

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | By
Oct 20, 2020 09:46 AM IST

Her parents moved the Delhi high court and filed a writ petition to get her admitted to Safdarjung Hospital on September 3, where she was operated upon on the same day, but died hours later

A seven-month-old baby with a brain abscess -- a pocket of pus in her brain -- died after being refused admission by at least three prominent government-run hospitals in the national Capital.

Being born in a Caesarean section negatively affects a baby's ability to focus on a particular area of interest, says a new study.(Representational Image.)
Being born in a Caesarean section negatively affects a baby's ability to focus on a particular area of interest, says a new study.(Representational Image.)

Her parents moved the Delhi high court (HC) and filed a writ petition to get her admitted to Safdarjung Hospital on September 3, where she was operated upon on the same day, but unfortunately died hours later.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

She was admitted to Safdarjung Hospital days after her parents ran from pillar to post to ensure proper medical treatment for her.

Also read: AIIMS reports first case of Covid-19-related brain nerve damage in a child

The matter is still pending in the court and the hospitals have been asked to respond about the reasons for their refusal of admission.

Initially, the baby was taken to the emergency department of Babu Jagjivan Ram Hospital on August 17. She was suffering from fever, vomiting, seizures, and altered sensorium or an inability to think clearly.

A day later, the baby was referred to a higher centre for proper healthcare management.

She was admitted to Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar (BSA) Hospital at Rohini on August 18, where doctors gave her antibiotics, fluids, and anticonvulsants for the seizures.

The doctors suggested neurosurgery after they conducted an ultrasound of the brain. Her family was asked to approach hospitals such as Ram Manohar Lohia (RML), Kalawati Saran, and Chacha Nehru Bal Chikitsalaya for the surgery.

The parents approached RML, Safdarjung, GB Pant, and Kalawati Saran Hospitals, but were denied admission orally in all these healthcare facilities. The baby continued to remain admitted to BSA Hospital over the next three days without any treatment, despite the authorities pleading their helplessness to perform the surgery.

A computed tomography (CT) scan, which was done from a private diagnostic laboratory four days after the child was admitted to the BSA Hospital, showed that she had developed brain abscess.

BSA Hospital authorities decided to shift her to a better healthcare facility, as her condition had worsened. An ambulance was provided along with a resident doctor.

However, both RML and GB Pant hospital authorities denied her admission, and she was brought back to BSA Hospital.

Then, the parents moved the Delhi HC, which ensured her admission to Safdarjung Hospital on September 3. Though she was operated upon the same day, unfortunately she passed away following the surgical procedure.

Safdarjung Hospital authorities in their affidavit have maintained that they never refused admission to the patient.

The authorities at Chacha Nehru Bal Chikitsalaya, which is one of the two biggest standalone paediatric hospitals in Delhi, claimed that they did not have the facility for paediatric neurosurgery.

RML Hospital authorities insisted that the baby was given “proper medical assistance by the attending staff” and was referred to paediatric neurosurgery emergency, where she not allegedly brought for admission.

Contrary to the RML Hospital’s assertion, the patient’s registration card showed “no bed is available” was the excuse offered by the former.

The court has directed RML Hospital authorities to file another affidavit to explain the discrepancy in their statement.

Unveiling 'Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    author-default-90x90

    Anonna Dutt is a health reporter at Hindustan Times. She reports on Delhi government’s health policies, hospitals in Delhi, and health-related feature stories.

SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On