Infant dies; family for compensation, action against doctors and nurses

SHILLONG, May 3: The controversy surrounding a delivery case at Ganesh Das Hospital, where a broken part of a needle got stuck inside a woman’s body, took a critical turn on Wednesday after the infant delivered by the woman died around 11.30 pm on Tuesday night.
The family members had to shift the newborn to a private hospital since Ganesh Das Hospital does not have a neonatal intensive care unit.
The woman’s uncle, Shiningstar Rani said the funeral was held on Thursday at Mawlyndep in the presence of the relatives, church elders and members of the Dorbar Shnong.
He further said that doctors at NEIGRIHMS successfully removed the needle stuck inside her body on Wednesday evening.
“The condition of my niece is improving. But she is still admitted at NEIGRIHMS,” Rani said.
Expressing shock over the incidents, Rani said the family members led by the Dorbar Shnong of Mawlyndep will meet Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh to request her to take action against the doctors and staff of Ganesh Das Hospital for their act of negligence.
“We do not want other families to face the same trauma that we have gone through. Action against those responsible will be a deterrent and would ensure that such kinds of negligence and lapses are not repeated,” he said.
The family would also demand compensation from the government since they had to shift the newborn to a private hospital owing to lack of adequate facilities at Ganesh Das.
Rani said they will seek justice from an appropriate authority if there is no action from the government side.
It may be mentioned that a preliminary inquiry report has suggested that the woman was advised caesarean section but the family decided to go for home delivery. Later, the woman was brought to Ganesh Das Hospital.
It was also informed that there was a tear already by the time the patient had arrived at the hospital.
Sources said that the doctor on duty had informed the attendant that the baby was distressed and while the attendant informed the relatives over the phone, no one showed up until next morning.
“In the meantime, the lady developed hematoma (swelling with clotted blood) in the area which shows that there is bleeding inside the wound,” the sources informed.
Further, sources informed that when the doctors were trying to repair the bleeding parts, it was then the needle broke and a portion got stuck inside her body following which she was shifted to NEIGRIHMS.