Newborn Declared Dead: Hospital Licence May Be Cancelled, Says Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain

New Delhi: Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Saturday said that strict action will be taken against a city-based private hospital, and if required, its licence would be cancelled, after the hospital in a case of medical negligence declared a baby dead along with its stillborn twin, but was found to be alive later.

"When we came to know about negligence on the part of the hospital we ordered inquiry into the same. And I want to assure all that if they don't work properly we will cancel the licence of the hospital," Jain said.

He said the inquiry report will come by Monday.

He also said that a show-cause notice was served to the hospital on November 22 for not treating the patients of EWS (economically weaker section) category.

In a clear case of medical negligence, doctors at Shalimar Bagh-located Max Super Specialty Hospital here on Friday declared a baby dead, along with his stillborn twin, and handed the bodies over to family members in a polythene bag. The baby was found alive just moments before being buried.

The incident prompted the Health Minister to order a probe on Friday.

According to the aggrieved family, the twins were born premature on Thursday. While one baby was stillborn, the other was declared dead hours later after his condition was stated to be "critical" and "unable to survive".

The Max Hospital in a statement said: "It has been brought to our notice that a 22-week premature newborn, who is said to be on life support at a nursing home, was unfortunately handed over (as dead) ... by Max Hospital, Shalimar Bagh.

"This baby was one of the twins delivered on the morning of November 30. The other baby was stillborn.

"We are shaken and concerned at this rare incident. We have initiated a detailed inquiry, pending which the doctors concerned have been asked to proceed on leave immediately."

The hospital said it was in constant touch with the parents and ready to extend all support.

A similar incident was reported from Safdarjung Hospital in June when a newborn was found alive after doctors had declared the baby dead.