Aborted, declared dead by Delhi hospital and found alive later, 5-month-old baby breathes his last after 30 hours

(Image for representational purposes only)

New Delhi: The sheer negligence of a Delhi hospital has claimed the life of a five-month-old aborted foetus, who was found alive just moments before his burial.

The incident came to light on Sunday morning when a 28-year-old woman, in her fifth month of pregnancy, underwent an emergency operation after she was brought to the hospital bleeding heavily.

Doctors at Safdarjung Hospital in the national capital declared the aborted foetus dead and handed it over to the family in a polythene bag.

While on their way to the crematorium, the family detected some movement and found the baby alive, after which he was immediately shifted to the neo-natal ICU.

Unfortunately, the baby breathed his last on Monday after 30 hours of being under obeservation.

"The baby died today at 4.15 pm," Dr AK Rai, the medical superintendent at Safdarjung hospital, said.

The hospital has ordered an inquiry.

Meanwhile, a Union health ministry official said, "We have sought a report in the matter from the hospital. The baby was delivered yesterday by 28-year-old Shanti Devi, a resident of Badarpur, around 5:00 am."

"How can they be so irresponsible and declare a baby, who is alive, as dead? If we had not opened the sealed pack in time, my baby really would have died and we would never have come to know the truth. This is gross negligence on the part of the hospital and the guilty should be punished," the father, Rohit, said on Sunday.

Dr Rai said the woman had delivered a 22-week-old premature baby. As per WHO guidelines, babies born before 22 weeks and weighing less than 500 gms are not considered as deliveries and generally do not survive.

The baby was motionless and did not cry or breathe after delivery.

A senior police official said that the complaint will be forwarded to Medical Council of India for fact finding enquiry and legal opinion will also sought to decide what action has to be action.

(With PTI inputs)