Doctors beaten up, hospital ransacked after baby's death

Kolkata: Tension erupted among patients in Jalpaiguri district hospital on Thursday morning after the family members of a newborn, who allegedly died of medical negligence, heckled the doctors and the other staff members of the hospital.

A private car belonging to a doctor was badly ransacked by the mob. A huge contingent of police rushed to the spot to bring the situation under control. The family members of the victim staged a demonstration in front of the district police officers demanding stern action against the doctors who, they claimed, were responsible behind the death of the newborn.

It was learnt that one Faridul Islam, a resident of Godalbari area in Jalpaiguri admitted her wife Rehana Begum to the Mother and Child Hub of the hospital on Saturday after she complained of labour pain.

The family members alleged after the admission of the patient, the doctors told the family members that it would be a normal delivery.

The doctors later decided to carry out caesarean and this had eventually led to the newborn.

The family members also alleged that they were not properly communicated that the condition of the infant deteriorated. They were suddenly told on Thursday morning the new born baby had died. Following the incident, the family members became infuriated and attacked the doctors and staff members of the hospital.

The hospital authorities, however, claimed that the woman had serious complications when she was admitted to the hospital. Caesarean was performed so that the life of the woman could be saved, said a senior official of the hospital said. As the news of the baby's death spread, a mob beat up some of the doctors who received serious injuries.