Investigation report says Late Admission of Expectant Mothers led the Newborns to die in Jorhat Hospital

Guwahati: The sensational case of 16 neonatal deaths at the Jorhat Medical College and Hospital (JMCH) in Jorhat has created quite a roar in the health care sector of the state as such an incident had never happened in the history of health care in Assam. However, as per the investigations, two factors have come into light which can be cited as strong reasons behind the death of the newborns.

A report has been prepared by the six-member enquiry committee constituted on Thursday by the JMCH Superintendent Dr Saurabh Borkotoky. The enquiry committee was headed by Professor Pranabjit Biswanath, Head of the Department (HoD), Paediatrics. As per the report, all the cases of deaths were cases of “late reporting” by the expectant women. Most of the newborns who died in JMCH within the quoted week were brought in a critical condition. Dr Hazarika said that the reason for the death of the newborn babies was due to “critical conditions in the final stage of delivery”.

Speaking about the 16 deaths of the newborns, Dr Debajit Hazarika, Principal of the College, said, “As the babies were delivered in critical conditions due to late reporting by the mothers, their admission to the Special Care Newborn Unit (SCNU) was necessitated,” the Principal said. Dr Hazarika informed that the report further said that the doctors and the supporting staff had done their best to provide treatment to the newborns, but out of 84 admitted to the SCNU during the six days, 15 newborns died despite the “best efforts”.

Another reason identified by Dr Hazarika said is that the Special Care Neonatal Unit (SCNU) at Jorhat hospital was well-equipped to accommodate and provide treatment to 40 babies, but the rush during the said six days was pretty heavy as 80 newborns were undergoing treatment daily on an average. Informing about the present number of newborns undergoing treatment at the neonatal care unit of the hospital is 69.

Also read: Dispur sends experts to probe deaths of infants at Jorhat Medical College and Hospital (JMCH)