JOIN USTension prevailed for sometime when the allegation of baby swapping returned to haunt Cheluvamba Children’s Hospital in the city on Tuesday.
Mangala, 26, wife of Vijay Kumar of Koorgalli had been admitted to the hospital on Monday at 11 pm. She was in her ninth month of pregnancy. Before bringing to Cheluvamba, her relatives had taken her to a private hospital where she was diagnosed with high blood pressure.
Medical superintendent of the hospital Dr B Krishnamurthy told Deccan Herald as soon as Mangala was admitted, she was diagnosed with intra uterine death (IUD) in which case the baby had died in the womb 48 hours ago only. Both Mangala and her aunt were told about the finding of the diagnosis and they also signed on the relevant documents.
She was later induced and on developing labour pain, she requested the doctor on duty to allow her to go to toilet. Though the doctor refused to allow her, she forcibly went to the toilet. The doctor said the stillborn baby was dispelled in the toilet and she herself flushed it.
Mangala’s relatives especially her husband who was not ready to believe the story told media that the staff at the hospital gave them contrasting statements. Initially they told about Mangala delivering a baby, only to change the version later. They eventually showed an infant, also dead, adding to the confusion.
Dr Krishnamurthy said when chambers in the hospital had to be searched for the infant’s body. When it was found the patient and her relatives were not ready to accept. It’s only later that they conceded and accepted the fact that the stillborn baby had indeed been flushed out.
The couple had been issueless even after eight years of marriage. However no police case has been registered in this regard.