The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Row over infant’s death at GGH

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Thursday, Apr 17, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Row over infant’s death at GGH

Staff Reporter

Negligence on part of doctors alleged

Kakinada: Tension prevailed in the paediatrics ward of Government General Hospital (GGH) here when the parents of a nine-month-old infant, which died while undergoing treatment on Wednesday morning, staged a protest alleging negligence of doctors.

The infant was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in the early hours of Tuesday after his health deteriorated due to severe dehydration and vomiting.

The parents – M. Pothu Raju and Ch. Veni – belonging to Rangapuram village of Bikkavolu mandal, however, held the doctors responsible for their child’s death and squatted in front of the ICU along with their relatives seeking justice.

As they refused to vacate the place, the hospital staff called the police, who tried their best to persuade the agitators but to no avail.

Written complaint

Meanwhile, hospital Superintendent M. Surya Kumari came to the ICU and inquired as to what happened.

Her efforts to restore calm failed. She then sought a written complaint from the couple.

Kakinada town circle inspector Ravi Kant also told the parents that a case could be booked if they lodged a complaint.

After repeated pleas by Dr. Surya Kumari, the protesters vacated the ward.

Mr. Ravi Kant later took statements of both the doctors and the parents to inquire into the circumstances that led to the baby boy’s death.

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