Minister steps in after blame game over newborn’s death at unauthorised hosp

Agra: A newborn's death at an alleged unauthorised private hospital in Muzaffarnagar has led to a crackdown after minister of state (independent charge) Kapil Dev Agarwal "uncovered a blame game between two health departments".During a review meeting at the PWD guest house on Wednesday, the minister first called the CMO office to question lapses in action against illegal hospitals. When pressed on licensing irregularities and inaction, health department officials shifted responsibility to the AYUSH department.The minister then separately contacted ayurvedic and unani officer for an explanation. But, AYUSH officials placed the responsibility back on the CMO office. With both officers passing the buck, the minister escalated the matter by bringing them together on a joint conference call. The move ensured confrontation, leaving no room for deflection and exposing the lack of coordination between the two departments in real time.Expressing displeasure, Agarwal, who is the incumbent MLA from Muzaffarnagar city, termed the situation a "serious failure of accountability" and warned that negligence would not be tolerated. He directed officials in both departments to initiate field inspections and take strict action against illegal hospitals.It should be noted that chaos erupted at a private hospital in the district on Saturday after an 8-day-old newborn died during treatment, triggering protests by the grieving family. Amid the uproar, hospital staff and doctors allegedly fled the premises. Following the incident, a team from the district health department reached the spot, conducted a preliminary inquiry, and sealed the hospital.The family alleged that the doctors advised "keeping the newborn on a machine for a few days despite the child being stable initially". The child's father claimed that late at night, the hospital informed them that the baby's condition suddenly deteriorated and referred the infant to Meerut.However, the newborn died shortly after reaching the referred hospital. The family alleged medical negligence and staged a protest at the facility.The Indian Medical Association (IMA) and the Indian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP) have also extended their support. Minister Agarwal said, "I have spoken with the CMO and ayurvedic and unani officer on conference call as they're making different statements. I have instructed them to take action against such hospitals that are being operated without proper papers."