Relatives of a newly-born baby have blamed severe negligence by doctors after the baby’s hand had to be amputated following infections during a month-long treatment.

One Gokul Bishwakarma of Dumraha in Ramdhuni Municipality-8, Sunsari, said he had admitted his son to RK Children Hospital in Biratnagar on June 10, three days after the boy was born.  The hospital conducted treatment on the boy for 28 days and was later referred to Kanti Children's Hospital in Kathmandu. Only after the boy was admitted in Kanti, the parents knew that the hospital had referred after the baby’s left hand had decayed and needed an immediate surgery.

Bishwakarma and his wife Anita said when they enquired about their baby’s health, the RK Children Hospital told them that the boy was doing fine and were allowed to see him only through a window. He said the hospital had arranged an ambulance so the boy could be taken to Kanti and even gave him Rs 20,000 in cash saying not to tell about the incident to anyone.

Administrative officer at RK Hospital Dhiraj Mainali refuted doctor’s negligence and said the baby was referred to Kanti following infection on his left hand. Dr Subodh Sharma, involved in the treatment, said the boy was born prematurely and was initially taken to Dharan-based BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences but, as the beds were full there, he was brought to RK Hospital.

Dr Sharma said the baby had respiratory problems and his internal organs were also not fully developed due to premature birth. His hands were very weak and the hospital began his treatment by putting him in a ventilator. Sharma said improvements were seen after nine days but soon his left hand turned blue. He claimed they had referred the baby to Kanti Hospital as there was no pediatric surgery facility at RK Hospital.

Bishwakarma couple said they spent around Rs 400,000 rupees in the treatment of their baby in RK Hospital.