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Patna,(BiharTimes): Four infants reportedly died during the nine hours long blackout at the Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) on Monday. The worst hit were the Incubators in the Paediatrics Department, the Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit (ICU) where a number of newborns were admitted, and the Emergency Ward.
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Hospital authorities, however, claimed that only two children died and that too because of diseases they were suffering from and not because of the power crisis.
Two of the victims have been identified as Radha (2) from Madhubani district and 40-day-old Dilkhush from Darbhanga. Radha was suffering from subcutaneous emphysema (respiratory disorder) while Dilkhush was down with severe pneumonia.
The hospital plunged into darkness at about midnight of Sunday-MMonday and the power could not be restored despite the hospital being connected to a private genset installed outside its premises.
Hospital authorities, however, said that the power generator was damaged in the stormy weather the previous night. But reports said that the machine could not be started in the absence of the operator, who was off duty because of New Year celebrations.
For the next nine hours, till 9 on Monday morning, the hospital operated without power. The neo-natal ICU has a power back-up but, according to reports, the hospital administration did not use it.
According to Medical Superintendent of DMCH Dr Suraj Nayak power supply was disrupted because of the storm on Sunday night. He accepted that there is a generator at the neo-natal ICU but it was not used as “we did not feel the need at that time.”
He confirmed the death of at least two kids but added that they died of the diseases they were suffering from and not because of power cut. He said that both the children were admitted in the general children ward.
Health department principal secretary Amarjeet Sinha, said he came to know about the power failure at DMCH around 6 AM and immediately contacted the official concerned. By 9 AM, power supply was restored.
Dr Nayak admitted the incubator did not get power supply and added his inquiry revealed that the mechanic responsible for running the generator had not reported for duty as he had to join New Year day celebrations in his locality on Sunday night.
The genset has been provided by UNICEF and the head of the Paediatrics Department has to ensure it is run in case of power failure.
Dr Nayak said a report has been sought from the Paediatrics Department in this regard.
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