Family Alleges Oxygen Snag Led to Infant's Death, Probe Initiated in Rajasthan Hospital

In a recent incident that has sparked widespread concern, a committee has been established to investigate the death of a six-month-old child at a government hospital in Rajasthan's Bundi district. The formation of the committee comes after the family of the deceased alleged that an oxygen supply interruption due to a power failure was responsible for the tragic event. Despite these serious allegations, district medical authorities have contested this claim, adding a layer of complexity to the situation.

The child, identified as Banti, son of Bharti, was admitted to the community health centre (CHC) in Dei town's emergency ward around 6 pm on Sunday. According to Dr. Yogesh Panwar, in charge of the CHC, Banti was in critical condition with high fever and breathing complications upon arrival. The medical team provided primary care and placed Banti on Ambu bag support before deciding to refer him to a higher medical care centre for further treatment.

Dr. Panwar noted that despite the challenging weather conditions and intermittent electric supply caused by a strong windy atmosphere, the baby remained on Ambu bag support. An ambulance was promptly called; however, the child succumbed while being transferred to it. The following day, relatives of the deceased staged a demonstration outside the hospital, accusing the staff of negligence and demanding their suspension. They specifically pointed to an alleged disruption in oxygen supply due to the power outage as the cause of death.

Circle Officer DSP Shankar Lal Meena stated that the protestors were eventually pacified with assurances of a thorough investigation into their claims. In response to the family's allegations, Bundi Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. O P Samer has refuted any claims of staff negligence or interruption in oxygen supply. He confirmed that Banti was receiving Ambu bag support up until his transfer to the ambulance.

Nevertheless, acknowledging the gravity of the family's accusations, Dr. Samer has initiated an inquiry into the matter. A committee has been tasked with probing the incident and is expected to submit its findings shortly. In addition, Dr. Samer visited the CHC in Dei on Monday to record statements from Banti's grieving family as part of the ongoing investigation.

This incident has once again highlighted the challenges faced by healthcare facilities in dealing with emergencies amid adverse conditions. The outcome of the committee's investigation is keenly awaited by all stakeholders, as it will provide crucial insights into the circumstances leading up to Banti's untimely death and potentially inform future protocols to prevent such tragedies.