Newborn child bitten by rats: The incident took place at Giridih Hospital in Jharkhand. (agent)
Dhanbad:
In a shocking case of neglect, the services of two outsourced workers were terminated after rats allegedly gnawed on the knees and limbs of a newborn at a government hospital in Giridih, officials said on Wednesday.
The incident took place on May 2 at Giridih Sadar Hospital and the newborn was taken to Shahid Nirmal Mahto Medical College Hospital (SNMMCH) in Dhanbad in a critical condition, he said.
Doctors at SNMMCH said that the condition of the baby is stable now.
Mother Mamta Devi said that the girl had a deep wound on her knee when rats gnawed on her knee to see the newborn in the Model Maternal and Child Health (MCH) ward of Giridih Hospital.
The baby was born on April 29 and was admitted to the MCH as he was suffering from breathing problems after his birth.
She said that the nurse on duty had told her that the baby was infected with jaundice. The nurse also advised him to get the child admitted to a better hospital.
Officials said the district administration has ordered an inquiry into the incident and recommended action against the doctor on duty.
Avinash Kumar, head of the Department of Pediatrics at SNMMCH, told PTI, “Deep wounds have been found on the infant’s knee. A surgeon has been asked to see the patient as the injury is deep.
When asked whether the wounds were caused by rats, Kumar said, “Looking at the wound, I will neither claim that rats have bitten nor deny it.”
Giridih Deputy Commissioner Naman Priyesh Lakra said that a letter has been sent to the Additional Chief Secretary, Jharkhand Health Department for action against the doctor on duty at Giridih Sadar Hospital.
Lakra said that the services of two outsourced GNM (General Nursing Midwifery) staff of Giridih hospital have been terminated, the sweeper of the ward, where the newborn was, has been removed.
Giridih Civil Surgeon SP Mishra said that a committee has been formed to probe the incident following a complaint by the child’s family members.
Action will be taken on the basis of committee’s report. If the nursing staff of the hospital are found guilty, legal action will be taken against them. “The matter is serious and shows negligence on their part”, said Mr. Mishra.
(Except for the title, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)