A family in Uttar Pradesh’s Pilibhit has alleged that their two-day-old baby died after being administered expired glucose while receiving treatment at the Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) of a district hospital in the city.
The woman, Radha Singh, gave birth through normal delivery at home on January 27. The following day, the newborn was rushed to the hospital after he stopped breastfeeding.
Doctors admitted the baby to the SNCU ward, but soon declared his condition critical. As his health deteriorated further, he was referred to Lucknow. However, the infant’s condition worsened en route, and he died in the ambulance.
The family has alleged that the hospital staff’s negligence led to the newborn’s death, claiming that an expired fluid bottle was used in the SNCU ward. Later, a police complaint was lodged and the infant’s body was sent for post-mortem examination to ascertain the exact cause of death.
Speaking to India Today TV, the infant’s uncle, alleged that the IV bottle administered to the newborn had expired in May 2024.
The incident triggered a widespread protest outside the district hospital, with the family and locals expressing outrage. The family members brought the body of the child, with the drip and expired glucose bottle attached to his hand, and protested in front of the hospital.
Amid the growing uproar, Chief Medical Officer of Pilibhit, Alok Kumar, confirmed that a two-member inquiry committee has been formed to investigate the case. Based on the preliminary findings, two staff nurses, Preeti Jaiswal and Pushpa Mishra, have been suspended.
Further investigation into the matter is underway.