In a shocking incident, a newborn girl died at the Civil Hospital in
Jalandhar after doctors allegedly removed the premature baby from the
incubator as her poor father could not pay Rs 200 as treatment fees.
The child was born on July 20 in this hospital, among the largest government hospitals in the state.
Hospital staff said the baby was kept in the incubator for several hours every day since her birth. On Wednesday, since the father could not pay the Rs 200 required. Father Sanjiv Kumar said: ''The told me the night before to deposit the Rs 200 as electricity charges to run the incubator.'' Kumar, who is a daily wager and paints buildings to make a living, tried to borrow the money but he failed. He told the hospital he couldn't pay, following which the baby was no put in the incubator. A visibly shaken Sanjiv said: ''I begged the hospital to give me some time. But they demanded the Rs 200 first. They have killed our child.'' The inconsolable father even alleged that his baby was taken off the drip as he couldn't pay fees.
Medical Superintedent Dr Iqbal Singh said he was not present in hospital yesterday. Addicitonal Deputy Commissioner Parneet Bhardwaj is conducting an inquiry in the allegations.
The child was born on July 20 in this hospital, among the largest government hospitals in the state.
Hospital staff said the baby was kept in the incubator for several hours every day since her birth. On Wednesday, since the father could not pay the Rs 200 required. Father Sanjiv Kumar said: ''The told me the night before to deposit the Rs 200 as electricity charges to run the incubator.'' Kumar, who is a daily wager and paints buildings to make a living, tried to borrow the money but he failed. He told the hospital he couldn't pay, following which the baby was no put in the incubator. A visibly shaken Sanjiv said: ''I begged the hospital to give me some time. But they demanded the Rs 200 first. They have killed our child.'' The inconsolable father even alleged that his baby was taken off the drip as he couldn't pay fees.
Medical Superintedent Dr Iqbal Singh said he was not present in hospital yesterday. Addicitonal Deputy Commissioner Parneet Bhardwaj is conducting an inquiry in the allegations.
