Delay in reaching the hospital caused the death of a newborn after an ambulance carrying the baby allegedly got stuck in a traffic jam because of a Congress rally, the investigation report ordered by the state government revealed on Friday, 24 August.
The child died soon after reaching PGIMS at Rohtak on Wednesday as the ambulance was stuck for "20 to 30 minutes" due to the cycle rally of Haryana Congress chief Ashok Tanwar in Sonipat district, the report said.
Prepared by director general of the state's health department Satish Agarwal, the report was submitted to Health Minister Anil Vij on Friday.
It was found that the ambulance was stuck in traffic for about 20 to 30 minutes due to jam caused by the cycle rally of the Haryana Pradesh Congress Chief, Dr Ashok TanwarThe report said
Vij on Thursday had instructed Agarwal to form a special investigation team to probe the matter and submit a report at the earliest. He had also demanded police action while raising the issue with Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.
The health minister said the members of the committee included deputy civil surgeon and senior medical officer who thoroughly investigated the matter.
"The committee has informed in its report that all documents were obtained and statements of the ambulance driver, fleet manager and paediatrician were recorded," he said.
"On the basis of these evidence, the main reason for the death of the newborn was delay in reaching hospital," he added.
He said that it was mentioned in the report that a call was received at Sonipat office of National Ambulance Service for an ambulance from Divya Hospital, Maniyari Pyau at 11.21 am to refer a newborn to Civil Hospital in Sonipat.
"The hospital management sent the ambulance from the community health centre Badkhalsa at 11.22 am which reached Divya hospital within 10 minutes," he said.
As per report, it takes 15 minutes to reach Civil Hospital from Divya Hospital, but on Wednesday the ambulance got delayed.
"Thereafter, the newborn was taken to a Special Newborn Care Unit where doctors found that the child was in critical condition with low heartbeat," he said. The newborn was was then referred to PGIMS, Rohtak where he died during treatment, Vij said.
According to the Times of India, the infant was born with an ailment just two days before the rally.
The doctors referred us to Sonipat. Our child died en-route in the ambulance as we were stuck in a traffic jam for 45 minutes because of a Congress party rally. There was no provision for oxygen in the ambulance.Father of the infant, as quoted by ANI
The minister further said that an FIR was registered by the police as he assured action against the guilty after a thorough probe.
Tanwar had taken out a 'Haryana Bachao Parivartan Lao' bicycle rally near Kundli village on the NH 1 targeting the BJP over the Rafale deal.
Tanwar Blames Hospital for Negligence
Meanwhile, Ashok Tanwar on Wednesday blamed the hospital for its negligence leading to the death of the infant.
We are sad that an infant died. We shouldn’t do politics over it. If an FIR has to be registered, it should be against the hospital for negligence.Ashok Tanwar, as quoted by ANI
The Congress leader also took to Twitter sharing a video he claims to be of the infant's father.
In the tweet, Tanwar says, "This video is of that sad father who he is clearly saying that the hospital, doctor, and an ambulance having no oxygen and medical staff, are responsible for the child's death. The media is a pillar of democracy, they should have known the facts before reporting on the incident. We are sad about the child's death. Our condolences.”
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)