DNA test to establish parentage after mix-up at govt hospital

A mix-up by staff at a government hospital here has triggered off a row over parentage of two babies delivered there with a DNA test now being sought to settle the matter.
According to officials at Umaid hospital, a baby boy and a girl were born to Bhanwari and Jiju, respectively, on Saturday.
But staff at the hospital, where a similar case had occurred last year, made a mistake in filling out the birth tickets of the two women which led to the babies getting exchanged.
"The baby boy was handed over to Jiju and the girl to Bhanwari. But doctors later realised the mistake and brought the matter to the notice of the parents," said hospital superintendent Narendra Chhangani.

Learning about the switch, Bhanwari's family refused to accept the baby girl given to her while Jiju is not willing to give up the newborn boy.
When police were informed, it was decided to resort to a DNA test to settle the question with both sets of parents agreeing to accept the results.
"We will send the blood samples to the forensic laboratory at Jaipur today," Narendra said, adding that the two infants were at present admitted in the hospital's nursery.
A similar case of negligence last year had seen hospital officials going for a DNA test to confirm the paternity of two new-born babies.