Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Aug 22: The parents of a newborn baby have alleged medical negligence during childbirth and have filed a complaint against Lady Goschen Hospital with the Health minister and the deputy commissioner (DC) of Dakshina Kannada.

According to the complaint filed by the baby's maternal uncle, his younger sister, who was nine months pregnant, was admitted to Lady Goschen Government Hospital on the night of August 17. She gave birth to a baby girl at 10:30 am on August 18. The doctors initially assured the family that the baby was normal and healthy but did not allow them to see the baby for three days.

Lady Goschen Hospital (file photo)

On the evening of Tuesday, the doctors informed the family that the baby was born with only one eye, which shocked them. The family claims that the doctors and senior officials have not provided a satisfactory explanation for the baby's condition. Despite their request, medical reports were not provided, raising further suspicions. Additionally, they allege that the hospital authorities have not allowed the baby to be breastfed for three days. The family is now seeking justice for both the mother and the baby.

Yogish Shetty Jeppu, president of the Tulunada Rakshana Vedike, submitted an appeal to the DC on Wednesday on behalf of the baby's mother, who resides in Panemangaluru.

Speaking to the media, Dr Durgaprasad M R, superintendent of Lady Goschen Hospital, stated, “The mother was admitted to the hospital on the morning of August 18 and delivered a baby at 9:58 am. The baby cried after delivery but had breathing difficulties. The baby was shifted to the NICU on the advice of an expert doctor, and CIPAP was provided for artificial respiration. Once the baby’s breathing stabilized, the paediatrician examined the baby and found that part of one eye had receded. This was to be communicated to the parents after consulting specialists on eye abnormalities in children. When the paediatric eye specialist conducted an ultrasound, it was discovered that the baby was born without one eye. This was conveyed to the parents, who panicked and filed a complaint against the hospital. We have all the records and CCTV footage of the case, and there is no negligence on our part.”