Kolkata: A newborn declared dead by a private nursing home was found alive hours later just as her family was preparing for her burial in Swarupnagar, North 24 Parganas on Thursday afternoon. The incident has triggered allegations of medical negligence.Sources said the baby’s mother, 28-year-old Rubina Parvin, was admitted to a nursing home in Swarupnagar on Wednesday evening, while experiencing labour pain. She gave birth on Thursday morning.Soon after the delivery, nursing home authorities informed the family that the newborn had died. The body was then wrapped in gauze and plastic and handed over to the family.The family returned home and began preparations for burial. But five hours later, when they opened the wrapping around 3pm, they were shocked to find the baby showing signs of life.“We were told the baby had died. They wrapped her in plastic and even tied her face. In exchange for Rs 400, the newborn was wrapped in gauze bandage and a plastic sheet and handed over to us,” a family member said.“We brought her home. Everyone was grieving. Around four or five hours later, when we opened the wrapping, we saw the baby was moving her hands and legs,” the family member added.The infant was rushed to Basirhat District Hospital, where she is undergoing treatment. Family members said the baby and the mother were stable.The family lodged a complaint at Swarupnagar police station, accusing the nursing home authorities of negligence. Police have initiated an investigation and started questioning those involved.Nursing home authorities have denied any institutional negligence. “The doctor who declared the newborn dead was served a show-cause notice. There was no negligence on the part of the nursing home. If allegations are proven, appropriate action will be taken against the doctor,” a nursing home official said.
