Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Jan 3: A new-born today died at Lal Ded Memorial Hospital here due to the delay in the treatment caused by the private security personnel posted at the hospital’s labour room.
The family which also staged a protest in the hospital complained said that after the baby was born, his condition was critical and was to be taken to the NICU for necessary observation.
“However, while, we were doing so, the father of the new-born was stopped by two private female security personnel just outside the labour room and started demanding money. Keeping in view the sensitivity, he gave them the money, but they didn’t let him go,” one of the family members said.
The family said that the father of the new-born was first forced to give them Rs 500, “but they did not budge, causing further delay in taking the new-born to the NICU; before they could let him take the baby to the NICU, he was made to pay Rs 300 more,” the family said.
As per the family, when the baby was taken to the NICU, doctors made several efforts to resuscitate him, but to no avail.
“It was that delay that was caused which led to the death of the new-born; there is no one allowed near the labour room, the father of the new-born was the only person there,” the family said.
During the day, the family also staged a protest, urging the hospital administration to take action and book those responsible.
Dr Muzaffar Sherwani, Medical Superintendent of the LD told Excelsior that soon after the incident, a 5-member committee was set up to look into the matter and which has recommended the termination of two female private security personnel.
“We have taken note of the incident and have immediately blacklisted these two females and to prevent such incident from happening in future, we will also be ensuring frequent rotation of the private security personnel from time to time,” he said.