Shillong: Meghalaya Health Minister, Dr. Ampareen Lyngdoh, has denied allegations of negligence by Nongpoh Civil Hospital authorities following the tragic death of an infant in a restroom at the hospital.
Speaking on September 23, Dr. Ampareen said that upon receiving the news, she immediately appointed a Joint Director-level officer to gather key information and clarify the incident. The mother, from Umden, had been initially treated at the Umden Primary Health Centre (PHC) and was later transferred to Nongpoh Civil Hospital due to her weak condition, having been 19 weeks pregnant (around five months). The investigation also looked into claims of the lack of an ambulance at Umden PHC.
According to the minister, the patient arrived at the hospital at 3 AM and was attended by two doctors, including a gynecologist. While accompanied by her husband to the restroom, the infant tragically fell.
Expressing her condolences, Dr. Ampareen emphasized that the incident was not due to negligence by the hospital staff, noting that the infant was only five months old and not fully developed. She urged against unfairly blaming the staff for the unfortunate event.
A Fact-Finding Committee has been dispatched to Nongpoh Civil Hospital to investigate, and the Medical Superintendent will provide answers to the allegations in the coming days.
