The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Babies to leave footprint

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jun 03, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Babies to leave footprint

K. Raju

Dindigul Government Hospital brings in new measure

DINDIGUL: From now on, babies born in the Government Hospital here will leave their footprint on the hospital records — case history of their mothers — in order to avoid confusion in case of theft or swap. The footprint of newborns would be recorded immediately after delivery, said T. Jayabal, Joint Director of Health Services (in-charge).

This decision was taken at a meeting convened by a team of experts at the hospital here on Monday.

The recording of footprint commenced immediately after the meeting.

Such a measure would guard against the incidents of child theft. The hospital officials have started recording the right foot impression of boys and left foot of girls delivered in the maternity ward. “Alternate legs for boys and girls will facilitate quick identification.”

Witness to be present

The impression of the child’s footprint will be recorded on the case sheet only in the presence of either its mother or father or any of their close relatives. It would be kept safely in the record room. “We have taken all precautionary measures for the safety of the newborns.”

The recent incidents of child theft and swap in government hospitals in other districts have prompted the Dindigul hospital administration to record the footprint of babies.

Later, the team led by Kuppulakshmi, Expert Advisor, Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and New Born Care centres (CEmONC) under Tamil Nadu Health System Project and members comprising additional professors Parvathavarthini and Amutha Rajeshwari inspected the facilities, staff strength and equipment at Dindigul Government Hospital that was upgraded as one of the three CeMON centres in the district. Kodaikanal and Palani taluk hospitals were the other two. After upgrading the hospital, all maternity cases were referred to the Dindigul hospital since it has blood bank and sufficient staff and equipment, said A. Asai Thambi, Coordinator, Tamil Nadu Health System Project.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu