Tension escalated in Munger following the death of a newborn in the Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) at Sadar Hospital, leading to protests by the family members who accused the hospital staff of medical negligence and misconduct. The newborn, born to Manisha Kumari from Haveli Kharagpur, was initially delivered at Kharagpur Sub-Divisional Hospital and later referred to Munger Sadar Hospital for specialized care on April 30 due to health complications. Despite doctors initially stating the baby’s condition as stable, the family alleged a lack of proper monitoring and timely treatment, resulting in the baby’s health deteriorating.
Family members claimed that the doctors attributed the baby’s worsening condition to ‘Chamki’ disease (Acute Encephalitis Syndrome) but failed to provide advanced care or transfer the baby to a higher medical facility promptly. The situation escalated on Saturday morning when the family, initially informed of the newborn’s stability, was later shocked by the sudden declaration of the baby’s death. This led to uproar within the hospital premises, with the family accusing the staff of negligence, prompting police intervention from Kotwali Police Station to restore order and advise the family to file a formal complaint.
The family demanded stringent action against the nursing staff, citing inadequate night-time monitoring, excessive use of a heater exacerbating the situation, delayed communication about the baby’s deteriorating health, and alleged misbehavior and threats by the nursing staff. Despite the serious allegations, the hospital administration has not issued an official statement yet, while the family has lodged a formal complaint seeking accountability and justice. An impartial investigation is anticipated to ascertain responsibility and determine if medical negligence contributed to the newborn’s demise.
