Newborn Pronounced Dead At Hospital, Suddenly Discovered Alive During Funeral Trip

No, this is not a story about resurrection in the classic sense. It’s about hospital negligence and here’s hoping this doesn’t happen to you. 21-year old Varsha Bidawat gave birth to premature twins at the Max Healthcare in Shalimar Bagh in Delhi, India. Doctors declared the twins dead soon after the delivery. The devastated mother had no choice but to prepare the twins for their funeral.

Varsha was admitted to the hospital. Aashish Kumar, her husband, said that “The doctor informed me that Varsha was in a critical stage of labour pain and should be admitted to the ICU immediately.”

Max Healthcare in Shalimar Bagh declared the twins dead soon after birth.

She delivered the twins, a boy and a girl

Aashish explained:

“The doctors declared the female infant dead soon after she was born, while the male infant was in a critical condition.”

“My baby boy was about 75 grams and so he was advised to undergo three months’ treatment at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, which was costed at `50, 000 per day.”

“Doctors informed us around 1.30pm that the male infant also died on the ventilator. They packed the bodies of both infants in packets and handed them over to us.”

But as they were heading to the funeral grounds, the family noticed one of the body bags moving.

“Both packets of the dead infants were carried by my father-in-law and he noticed some movement. We immediately stopped the car and saw that the male infant was breathing.”

They rushed the baby to the nearest medical facility, which was Agarwal Nursing Home at Pitampura.

The baby boy turned out to be alive. He was in critical condition, however, because he contracted an infection after being placed in a plastic bag after birth.

Deepak Kumar, uncle of the twins, said:

“We have lodged an FIR against Max Hospital at Shalimar Bagh Police Station for medical fault and high medical bills.”

Union Health Minister J P Nadda condemned the incident and ordered an immediate investigation.

The hospital that delivered the twins issued a statement admitting their mistake, saying:

“It has been brought to our attention that a premature (22 weeks), newborn baby who is reported to be on life support at a nursing home was unfortunately handed over without any signs of life by Max Hospital Shalimar Bagh.”

“This baby was one of the twins delivered on the morning of November 30. The other baby was stillborn. We are shaken and concerned at this rare incident.”

“We have initiated a detailed enquiry, pending which, the doctor concerned has been asked to take leave immediately. We are in constant touch with the parents and are providing all the needed support.”