Kathmandu– Bheri Hospital has apologized after a newborn baby, declared dead by doctors, was found alive hours after being handed over to family members.
Issuing a press release, the hospital’s Chief Medical Superintendent, Dr Nirajan Subedi, acknowledged shortcomings on the part of the medical team and expressed sympathy for the pain caused to the baby’s family.
According to the hospital, a pregnant woman admitted to the labour ward on November 11 gave birth on November 12. The baby, born at 23 weeks of gestation and weighing only 617 grams, was declared dead by the attending doctor on the same day and handed over to relatives.
However, around four hours after taking the baby home, family members noticed signs of life and immediately rushed the infant back to the hospital. Despite efforts by medical staff, the baby died shortly after being readmitted.
The hospital administration termed the incident an exceptional case, stating that extremely premature babies can sometimes show delayed signs of life. The statement added that survival chances are extremely low for babies born before 28 weeks of pregnancy and weighing less than one kilogram.
While claiming that all possible medical efforts were made, the hospital admitted there were shortcomings in adequately explaining the possible outcomes to the patient’s relatives. The administration has expressed regret over the incident and the distress caused to the family.
