Delhi HC seeks report over death of newborn due to unavailability of ventilator

Taking action over the death of a newborn girl child at a city government hospital in the national capital due to unavailability of ventilator support, the Delhi High Court has issued notice to concerned authorities and asked to seek reports from them within four weeks.

The court, taking suo moto cognizance of the case yesterday, issued notices to Government of India, Ministry of Health, Government of NCT of Delhi, Ministry of Health, EDMC, NDMC and SDMC.

In a shocking incident, which was brought to the Delhi High Court's notice by advocate Ashok Agarwal, a new born girl child died in Delhi's Jagpravesh Government Hospital yesterday within 15 hours of her birth, as the family got no ventilator-fitted bed in the government hospitals it approached in the capital city.

According to reports, the court has also suggested to put online the details of medical facilities available at the medical centers to ensure better medical help.

The court also noted the submission of Agarwal that in the era of digital world, there is lack of connectivity among the public funded hospitals in the national capital.

It has also observed that had there been digital connectivity, life of the new born girl child could have been saved.

Agarwal submitted that he had personally tweeted to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Health Minister Satyendra Jain for help but he received no response from them.

The court will next hear the case on November 21.