Is There Negligence Over Newborn Information in Bhopal?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Allegations of negligence concerning newborn information have surfaced in Bhopal.
- The hospital denied the allegations but acknowledged a clerical error.
- Dr. Tarun Mishra is advocating for accountability and an inquiry.
- This incident emphasizes the importance of accurate communication in healthcare.
- Repeated lapses can have serious consequences for patient trust.
Bhopal, July 9 (NationPress) A junior physician linked with Gandhi Medical College (GMC), Bhopal, has accused a private medical facility in the city of negligence due to delays and inconsistencies in delivering details concerning his newborn, including the child's gender. The hospital has refuted these allegations.
The purported event took place on July 1 at a Maternity Hospital located in the Gautam Nagar area. The situation was brought to light following a letter from Dr. Tarun Mishra to the Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) of Bhopal, which gained traction on social media late Tuesday evening.
In his correspondence, Dr. Mishra mentioned that his wife, Awani Mishra, gave birth at the hospital on July 1. He claimed that the hospital personnel failed to communicate the gender of their child promptly after delivery.
"After hours of waiting, when I inquired, the hospital personnel informed me that my wife had delivered a girl. However, the discharge summary stated the child's gender as male," Dr. Mishra wrote. He added that while they did indeed have a girl, as confirmed later, the inconsistency in the discharge documents and the delay in information raised significant concerns.
Dr. Mishra also highlighted discrepancies in the newborn's medical records. “Initially, we were told that the baby weighed 3.1 kg, but in the discharge documents, the weight was recorded as 3.7 kg,” he claimed.
Currently completing his postgraduate studies at GMC and working as a junior doctor at Hamidia Hospital, Dr. Mishra stated that such negligence can induce panic and confusion among parents and should not be overlooked.
“Repeated failures like these are considered punishable offenses and breach medical ethics. I urge the CMHO to initiate an inquiry into this matter,” he expressed.
In response to the accusations, the Maternity Hospital labeled the claims as “false and fabricated.” Nonetheless, a senior staff member conceded that the gender discrepancy in the discharge paperwork was a clerical mistake, which has since been rectified.