10-month-old baby boy dies in UP as parents fail to bribe govt hospital staff

Bahraich: In an appalling incident, a 10-month-old baby died in a government hospital in Uttar Pradesh’s Bahraich district on Tuesday as his parents failed to bribe the hospital staff.

According to reports, the child, Krishna, died because the hospital staff made delays in administering a crucial injection to him and wasted time in demanding bribe for giving treatment.

The hospital, however, has denied the allegations but ordered an inquiry into the incident and also sacked one of the bribe-takers.

According to report on NDTV, Sumita and Shiv Dutt had admitted their son to the children’s ward of the government hospital, as the child was suffering from high fever.

The couple alleged that they had to bribe the nurse to get documentation for the child’s admission to the hospital. Later, the sweeper at the children’s ward also asked for bribe to allot a bed to the child.

Sumita alleged that on Tuesday morning a medical assistant came over and asked for money to get a crucial injection for Krishna.

“I asked him to give me some time…I promised to give him whatever amount he asked for,” Sumita was quoted as saying.

The assistant had an argument with the couple, following which he did fetch the injection, but it was too late to save the child, said the parents. “Every staff member wanted a bribe. Only the doctors don’t ask because they have private practice. I think one should sell one’s land and go to a private hospital,” said Shiv Dutt, who works as a labourer.

"(We) received a complaint that that a child's parents were asked to pay Rs 30 for bed by the sweeper. He has been removed from duty," said OP Pandey, the chief medical superintendent of the hospital.

"The nurse, who was on duty, has been shifted out from the children's ward. An inquiry has also been ordered," Pandey said.

Meanwhile, UP Health Minister, S P Yadav, described it as an "isolated" case and said action will be taken against anyone found guilty. "It is a sad incident. At the same time it is an isolated case. Government hospitals in the state are doing their work. Sometimes there are reports of negligence but this is an isolated case," he said in Lucknow.

The minister said he has taken serious note of the matter and directed the district magistrate to order an inquiry and send him the report within 24 hours. "We will take action on the basis of the report. Whoever is guilty... be it paramedical staff, doctor or any other employee, he or she will face strict action," he said, adding no one will be spared.