Spike in newborn deaths at GB Pant Hospital : 32 still births recorded in six months, insiders cite ‘coordination glitches’ as reason

Sarthark Kanjilal & Sunder Selvam
Port Blair, Aug 21: The recent surge in newborn and maternal deaths has set the alarm bells ringing for the island’s lone referral hospital, GB Pant Hospital. Information culled out under the Right to Information Act reveals that the hospital registered 32 still births and 3 maternal deaths in six months (from Nov 2014 to April 2015). While there have been widespread accusations of medical negligence behind the deaths, insiders attribute to coordination glitches between the newly appointed doctors for the Medical College and paramedical staff as sole reason for the disturbing trend.
According to the RTI document, 32 newborns died during the delivery process during the period from Nov 2014 to April 2015. Three expecting mothers, Smt Aruna Bachar, Smt R Rajeshwari and Smt D Homakshi, also died during treatment for medical complications like IUFD with placenta preview with cardio-respiratory failure, Septicemia Multi-organ Dysfunction syndrome and Eclampsia with PPH with DIC.
“Negligence by doctors and paramedical staff is on a record high and islanders are gradually losing their trust in the GB Pant Hospital. Poor standard healthcare services has become the hallmark of the Labour Ward of the hospital. Much was expected of superior health services after new doctors were appointed for the Medical College in these islands. Instead, things turned worst. The RTI revelation should serve as an alarm for the Health Department. Anomalies that still exist in the GB Pant Hospital should be set right and all-out efforts should be made to ensure best healthcare services for the islanders,” said some residents of Aberdeen Bazar.
When cross checked by Andaman Sheekha team, a senior official of the GB Pant Hospital, who didn’t want his name to be quoted, admitted that lack of coordination between the newly recruited doctors and paramedical staff was the core reason for the sudden surge in newborn and maternal deaths in GB Pant Hospital. “The issue has been dealt with seriously and things have now significantly improved. Islanders can now expect better services at the premier hospital,” the official added.