Srinagar:
Jammu and Kashmir's health department has concluded that medical negligence was behind the death of two infants in a government hospital on Friday in Baramulla district.
Based on the report submitted by a three-member enquiry committee, formed with specialist doctors from various hospitals in the valley, the medical superintendent of the hospital has been suspended. Two others, including a nurse, have been sacked. Action against other doctors and paramedics has also been initiated.
The two infants had died allegedly due to non-availability of electricity for over two hours. The infants' families have alleged that the babies were on ventilator support when the electricity supply went off. The hospital officials allegedly didn't turn the generator on for two hours on Friday evening.
This incident took place two days after a senior doctor was arrested by the Jammu and Kashmir Police for the murder of a newborn in a government hospital.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah sharply reacted over the death of the two infants. Admitting the lack of adequate medical facilities in the state, he warned the medics either to perform or quit after the incident.
"It is matter of anguish that both the infants died due to cold even though the hospitals have been provided with generators and staff given specialised training. If the doctors and nurses are getting salaries but are not performing their duties, they should leave jobs and not make a joke of the system," he said.
(With inputs from IANS)