'I lost my child due to doctors' negligence'

A man, whose newborn child was among the 31 patients who died at a government hospital in Maharashtra's Nanded in 48 hours, has blamed negligence by doctors for his loss.

The distraught man, Nagesh Solanke, also claimed his child was not underweight after birth.

His wife had undergone a C-section procedure at a private hospital where the baby was delivered, he said, adding the child was later brought to the government hospital for treatment.

As many as 31 deaths, including those of infants, were recorded at the Dr Shankarrao Chavan Government Medical College and Hospital in central Maharashtra's Nanded district in 48 hours since September 30.

Solanke's child was among the 24 deaths, including of 12 babies, recorded at the hospital between September 30 and October 1. Seven more deaths occurred at the same facility between October 1 and 2, as per authorities.

"My child was not underweight and was absolutely fine...don't know what happened to my child who is now no more. I lost my baby, my wife suffered permanent damage to her health due to the caesarean-section. I have lost everything," Solanke told reporters outside the hospital.

The man and his wife reached the government hospital after the woman underwent the caesarean-section procedure at a private hospital in Nanded, he said.

"Doctors at the private hospital claimed the baby was fine, but needed to be kept in glass (warmer) for four-five days. I had already spent money for the (wife's) surgery and was unable to bear this hefty amount for further treatment of the baby. So, we came to the government hospital in Nanded," Solanke said.

He said the baby was admitted to the hospital at around 6 pm on September 30. He later brought medicines from a medical store outside the facility and handed them over to a doctor.

According to Solanke, his baby was fine till about 2 am on October 1.

"Later, at around 4 am, doctors said they were putting the baby on some big machine. They didn't tell me its name," the man said.

"We were waiting outside and they asked for our signatures. Then, in just 10-15 minutes what happened is that my child died. Besides my baby, two other children, both twins, also died and they called us inside and announced the deaths," he said.

How can 12 babies die in one day at the hospital, Solanke asked.

"This is only possible if the machines are not working and doctors are negligent. The dean also pays no attention to the facility," he claimed.

The man, while getting emotional, said he has now lost everything after waiting for nine months for the child.

"I lost my kid, my money. Doctors (at the private hospital) asked for money (for the child's treatment), so we came here. This happened due to the negligence of doctors. There was lack of facilities. They didn't even allow me to go inside and see our child. I just wish to meet the hospital dean once," Solanke said.

Maharashtra Medical Education Minister Hasan Mushrif on Tuesday said the death of the large number of patients at the government hospital in Nanded will be inquired to establish the cause and promised things will improve at the facility in the next 15 days.