Newborns choke to death at Agra hospital

Three infants admitted to the neo-natal intensive care unit at Agra’s medical college hospital allegedly suffocated to death after a power cut.

The incident that triggered widespread outrage prompted Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav to suspend two senior doctors, including the chief medical superintendent (CMS) and shunted out the medical college principal on charges of laxity.

Sources said three infants with complications during birth were admitted to the ICU at the hospital on Monday. There was reportedly a power cut late on Monday night following which the infants choked to death.

Two babies died late on Monday night, while another died on Tuesday morning, sources said.
Though hospital officials alleged power cut, the electricity distribution company denied there was any load shedding.

Ordering a probe on the incident, Akhilesh suspended two senior doctors and removed the medical college principal.