The Hindu : New Delhi News : Two nurses arrested in infant death case

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Friday, Mar 14, 2008
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New Delhi

Two nurses arrested in infant death case

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: A day after a five-day-old infant died when a fire broke out in an “infant warmer” at a government hospital here, Delhi Health Minister Yoganand Shastri on Thursday directed all State-run hospitals in the Capital to immediately install adequate alarm systems and auto-cuts to ensure that a repeat of the tragic incident does not occur.

An enquiry has also been ordered into the case and the three medical personnel on duty, including a doctor in the paediatric ward of Bhagwan Mahavir Hospital where the mishap took place, have been suspended. Two staff nurses have been arrested.

Compensation

The fire allegedly was triggered by an electric short-circuit.

The Minister has also announced a compensation of Rs.2 lakh for the bereaved family.

Speaking after calling on the family in Shakurpur Basti, the Minister said: “Besides visiting the family, I have also inspected the hospital’s nursery unit. We have made it compulsory for all Delhi Government-run hospitals to install adequate alarm and auto-cut systems to ensure that a repeat of the event does not occur. We have also asked hospitals to ensure that on-duty staff are alert and available for patient care and that any negligence on their part is not overlooked.”

The committee set up to look into the matter is trying to assess why the auto-cut installed at Bhagwan Mahavir Hospital did not function and how the staff at the hospital failed to detect the fire and rescue the baby.

Detailed report

The hospital’s Medical Superintendent, Dr. Ashok Dang, said: “The girl was born on March 7 and kept inside the warmer after doctors diagnosed her with jaundice. After the incident, police have registered a case of causing death due to negligence and detained some employees of the hospital for questioning. The on duty-staff at the unit have been suspended and a four-member committee has been constituted to look into the incident.

The damaged warmer has been handed over to the police and statements of those on duty and in charge of hospital equipment maintenance are being recorded. A detailed report on the incident is expected within the next two days.”

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