Medical negligence alleged after newborn dies at Nahan hospital

The functioning of Dr YS Parmar Government Medical College and Hospital in Nahan has come under scanner following allegations of medical negligence. In a video circulating on social media, Laxmi Sharma, a resident of Paonta Sahib, has accused the hospital doctors of gross negligence that allegedly led to the death of her sister’s newborn baby.

In the video, Laxmi said her pregnant sister Chandrakala, wife of Naresh Sharma, was admitted to the medical college on July 24.

As per the instructions of attending doctors, doses of medication to induce artificial labour were administered at 2 am, 6 am and 10 am.

Despite severe labour pain over a period of 10 hours, Laxmi claimed her sister’s cervical dilation did not progress beyond 2 cms.

She alleged despite no significant progress and rising complication, the medical team failed to take any decisive action, such as performing a caesarean section or initiating any other critical medical procedure. Tragically, by the time further intervention was considered, the baby had died in the womb, she alleged.

Laxmi further alleged that on-duty doctors left for their homes at night, leaving her sister without proper emergency care. She claimed that the hospital lacked essential facilities — including a functioning foetal heartbeat monitor and a 3D ultrasound machine — which are crucial for assessing a newborn’s condition during high-risk deliveries.

She stated that these lapses not only resulted in the death of the newborn, but also inflicted severe physical and emotional trauma on her sister.When contacted, Dr Sangeeta Dhillon, Senior Medical Superintendent at the medical college, said no formal complaint had been received in writing as of now. “If a complaint is submitted, action will be taken as per protocol,” she added.