Protesters allege negligence at Kundapura Govt Hospital following death of newborn

Team Udayavani, Nov 21, 2023, 8:35 AM IST

Kundapura: A silent protest was held at the Kundapura Government Hospital on Monday following the death of a newborn at  the hospital due to alleged “negligence.”

Jyoti Kharvi, wife of Srinivas Kharvi from Davanamane in Gangolli, was admitted with labor pains to the hospital on November 17 at 10:30 PM. Following a three-day labor, she delivered a baby boy on Monday morning, only to be informed by doctors that the infant had not survived the birth.

Following this, the grieving family and villagers went on a protest, accusing the doctor attending to Jyoti of negligence, attributing the infant’s demise to the purported oversight. Protestors, speaking to the media, alleged that the attending doctor had disregarded signs of bleeding and abdominal pain, exhibiting alleged rudeness and occasional absence, particularly during nocturnal hours.

The protesters demanded a thorough investigation, doctor’s suspension, and stringent action to prevent similar occurrences in the future. They also demanded that the DC and the DHO to the hospital to meet the family and listen to their grievances.

Surgeon Dr. Robert Rebello attempted to assuage the protestors, asserting the provision of quality treatment in government hospitals and a commitment to address the matter seriously. He assured the protesters’ grievances will be looked into by higher authorities.

Despite assurances that their concerns would reach higher authorities, protestors remained steadfast, prompting police intervention led by Circle Inspector Nandakumar, SI Prasad, and Traffic Station SI Subbanna.

Following a complaint by the family, a case was registered. A post-mortem will be conducted at Manipal’s KMC, police said.