Newborn dies at Shillai hospital, father accuses nursing staff of negligence

A one-day-old infant died under distressing circumstances at the Civil Hospital in Shillai, Sirmaur district. The grieving father has accused the nursing staff of negligence, while clarifying that no allegations have been made against the doctors.

According to the father, Gopal Singta, a resident of Koti Bounch village, his wife delivered a healthy baby boy at Shillai Hospital through normal delivery. The newborn weighed over 3.3 kilograms and was in perfect health. However, the following day, the baby developed a sudden high fever.

Gopal said that the duty doctor examined the infant, prescribed medication and advised the parents to immediately inform the hospital staff if the child’s condition worsened. But when the baby’s health deteriorated during the night, he claimed that despite calling for help several times, the nurses did not respond.

“Even after calling three to four times, no nurse came to check on my baby. In desperation, I sought help from the security guard. When I requested the nurses again, they told me to pick up the thermometer myself and check the fever,” Gopal alleged.

By the time he managed to take the reading, the temperature had already crossed 106 degrees Fahrenheit. The baby was later referred to a higher medical centre, but he died on the way.

Speaking to the media at Paonta Sahib Hospital, the father said, “Today I was supposed to take my son home. Instead, I’m returning empty-handed. Strict action must be taken against those responsible.”

Meanwhile, Dr Sheetal Sharma, Medical Officer In-Charge of Civil Hospital, Shillai, refuted the allegations of negligence. He said, “The newborn had a very high fever that did not subside even after treatment by the duty doctor. Around 10 pm last night, the father was advised to take the baby to a higher medical centre. The referral was also mentioned in writing by the doctor on duty. Unfortunately, the family did not take the child to the higher centre at that time.”

Dr Sharma further stated, “At around 5 am this morning, when the baby’s condition worsened, the duty doctor arranged for an ambulance and sent the infant, along with his parents, to Paonta Sahib Hospital. Shillai Hospital does not have a paediatric specialist or an intensive child care unit. That is why referral to a higher centre was recommended, where appropriate treatment could have been provided.”