Mangaluru: Woman accuses hospital of negligence over infant’s eye condition
Mangaluru: A woman who delivered her baby at Lady Goschen Government Hospital in Mangaluru has accused the hospital staff of negligence after they informed her that her newborn did not have a right eye, two days after birth. The woman, Bhavya, a teacher from Panemangaluru, has filed a complaint with the Deputy Commissioner (DC) and the police, demanding an investigation into the matter.
Bhavya went to the Bantwal government hospital for her second delivery on August 17. Due to the absence of female doctors, she was transferred to Lady Goschen Government Hospital in Mangaluru at 2 a.m. on August 18. She delivered a baby girl at around 9:50 a.m. the same day. Initially, the doctors told her that the baby was healthy but needed to be placed in the neonatal ICU due to a breathing problem.
However, on the evening of August 20, two days later, Bhavya was informed by the doctors that her baby did not have a right eye. Devastated by the news, she expressed suspicion and concern, alleging that the hospital staff had withheld information and refused to provide medical reports. Bhavya claims she noticed a physical difference in her baby after the delivery, raising further concerns. She also stated that she was prevented from breastfeeding the baby for three days, despite having a normal delivery.
The Tulunada Rakshana Vedike, a local organization, has come forward in support of Bhavya, demanding a thorough investigation into the incident.
In response to the allegations, Dr. Durga Prasad M R, Superintendent of Lady Goschen Government Hospital, denied any wrongdoing. He explained that the baby was placed on a SiPap machine in the neonatal ICU due to breathing difficulties, as determined by the pediatrician. The baby's condition was closely monitored, and on the night of August 19, the pediatrician noticed that the right eyeball was recessed. Since he did not have the authority to make a diagnosis, an eye specialist was consulted.
On the morning of August 20, the hospital informed the parents about the situation. An ultrasound scan conducted by the eye specialist the following day confirmed that the baby was born without a right eyeball. Dr. Durga Prasad emphasized that the hospital has all the necessary documents, including photos, case sheets, and CCTV footage, to prove that there was no negligence on their part.
He also noted that typically, photos of the mother and child are taken immediately after birth if there are no complications, which was not the case here.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
UDF leaders see local body poll trends as pointer to 2026 Assembly elections in Kerala
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Buoyed by the strong performance of the Congress-led UDF in the local body polls, KPCC president Sunny Joseph said on Saturday that the front's results indicated the people had rejected the LDF government.
According to early trends, the UDF was leading in more grama panchayats, block panchayats, municipalities and corporations than the LDF.
The local body polls were held in two phases in the state earlier this week.
ALSO READ: Cong candidate who moved Kerala HC for name reinstatement in voter list, wins
Speaking to reporters here, Joseph said the people of Kerala had extended their support to the UDF.
"We could expose the LDF government’s anti-people stance and the people understood it. The LDF’s fake propaganda was rejected by the people. The UDF is moving towards a historic victory," he said.
He said a united effort, proper preparations, good candidate selection and hard work had resulted in the Congress and the UDF’s victory in the elections.
Asked about the prospects in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, Joseph said the party was studying the matter and would comment later.
LDF convenor T P Ramakrishnan said the results would be closely examined.
According to him, the government had done everything possible for the people.
"Why such a verdict happened will be examined at the micro level. People’s opinion will be considered and further steps will be taken," he said.
He added that decisions would be taken after analysing the results. "If any corrective measures are required, we will initiate them and move forward," he said.
AICC leader K C Venugopal said the results showed that people had begun ousting those who, he alleged, were responsible for the loss of gold at Lord Ayyappa’s temple.
"This trend will continue in the Assembly elections as well. It is an indication that the people are ready to bring down the LDF government," he said.
Venugopal said the UDF had registered victories even in CPI(M) and LDF strongholds.
"I congratulate all UDF workers for their hard work. Congress workers and leaders worked unitedly," he said.
Referring to remarks made by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan against the Congress on polling day, Venugopal said the voters had responded through the verdict.
"I do not know whether the chief minister understands that the people are against him. Otherwise, he does not know the sentiment of the people. The state government cannot move an inch further," he said.
He said the results indicated a strong comeback for the UDF in Kerala.
Asked whether the Sabarimala gold loss issue had affected the LDF in the local polls, Venugopal said the CM and the CPI(M) state secretary did not take the issue seriously.
"We took a strong stand on the matter. The BJP played a foul game in it," he alleged.
On the BJP's role in the local body elections, Venugopal alleged that the party operated with the CPI(M) 's tacit support.
"The CPI(M) supported the central government on issues such as PM-SHRI, labour codes and corruption in national highway construction. The CPI(M) is facing ideological decline, and the state government’s policies are against the party’s own decisions," he said.
Meanwhile, LDF ally Kerala Congress (M) leader Jose K Mani said the party could not win all the wards it had expected in the elections.
He congratulated winners from all parties and said the party would closely examine the losses and identify shortcomings. "Later, we will take corrective measures," he added.
Senior Congress leader and MP Rajmohan Unnithan said the trends in the local body elections indicated that the UDF would return to power in the 2026 Assembly elections.
"We will win 111 seats as in 1977 and return to power in 2026. The anti-government sentiment of the people is reflected in the elections," he said.
Unnithan said the people were disturbed and unhappy with the present government.
"The trend indicates the end of the LDF government," he added.
CPI(M) MLA M M Mani said the people had shown ingratitude towards the LDF despite benefiting from welfare schemes.
"After receiving all welfare schemes and living comfortably, people voted against us due to some temporary sentiments. Is that not ingratitude," he asked.
Mani said no such welfare initiatives had taken place in Kerala earlier.
"People are receiving pensions and have enough to eat. Even after getting all this, they voted against us. This is what can be called ingratitude," he said.
Muslim League state president Panakkad Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal said the results were beyond expectations.
"The outcome points towards the Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram, indicating that a change of government is imminent. We are going to win the Assembly election," he said.
