Three babies die of oxygen shortage

Three newborn babies died at the SVR Ruia Government General Hospital on Saturday reportedly due to lack of oxygen in the children’s wing, creating a flutter in the temple town and highlighting the pathetic condition prevailing in one of the major hospitals in Rayalaseema region.

While the hospital authorities claimed the infants died due to various medical complications soon after their birth, family members of the children alleged the deaths were due to lack of proper treatment and facilities at the hospital. It is learnt that the three babies died due to inadequate oxygen supply to their central nervous system and other complications arising out of it.

According to the hospital, the three infants, belonging to M Roja of NTR Nagar in Tirupati, Anitha of Anjinedu village and Puspalatha of Chennapalle village in Yerpedu mandal, were admitted on July 22, 24 and 27 respectively with various birth-related complications. “We admitted the children only after conducting a counselling session for the parents explaining that the infants had minimal chances of survival,” said Ruia hospital superintendent Veeraswamy.

Denying the family’s charges, he said that Puspalatha’s baby was admitted with Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) (damage to cells in the central nervous system due to inadequate oxygen) and dysmorphic features on July 27. The other two babies were admitted with HIE-2 (inadequate oxygen) with Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (excessive bleeding and clotting). In all these cases, chances of survival were slim, he said.

“Though the hospital lacks some facilities, that had nothing to do with the deaths. We have sufficient oxygen supplies to cater to the needs of babies for the next couple of days,” Veeraswamy said. A detailed inquiry has been ordered into the incident and the superintendent assured that they will initiate necessary action if anybody is found guilty.

Meanwhile, doctors at the pediatrics department said the survival chances in such cases are less than 20 per cent and blamed the parents for bringing the children in the eleventh hour.