Taking strong notice of the unfortunate death of six new born babies in Civil Hospital Ludhiana, the Health and Family Welfare Minister Punjab Surjeet Kumar Jayani today places Dr. Alka Mittal, gynecologist posted in Civil Hospital Ludhiana under suspension with immediate effect and transferred Senior Medical Officer, Dr. R.K. Karkara. Addressing a press conference here today, Mr. Jayani said that a high level probe has already been ordered into the sad and unfortunate demise of the infants. The deputy Commissioner Ludhiana, Mr. Rajat Agarwal has been asked to hold a thorough inquiry and submit the report to the government within a week. He has also been asked to have his own team of officers whether from head office or district to hold an independent inquiry into the entire incident. Meanwhile Dr. Alka Mittal, a gynecologist who was already charge sheeted a few days back for negligence in discharging her duties has been placed under suspension with immediate effect.
The SMO R.K.Karkara has been transferred for not maintaining discipline in the medical institution, said Mr. Jayani. Adding further minister said that although a thorogh probe has been ordered into the incident but as many as deaths were natural as babies did not have any heart beat when the mothers were brought to hospital. He also said that the doctors present at the time of procedure did try their best to save lives.Terming the incident as the most regrettable in the history of Punjab, Mr. Jayani said that unfortunately this incident had occurred when Punjab government was taking steps to strengthen the government medical institutions and was in the process of upgrading these institutions by providing adequate hi-tech infrastructure. He said that after the inquiry report, if any one from the Health department was found guilty of carelessness or laxity in any manner then the department would give Rs. 1 Lakh as compensation to the families of the children. Mr. Jayani was accompanied by the Special Secretary Health Mr. Vikas Garg, DC Mr. Rajat Agarwal and Dr. Jatinder Kaur Director Family Welfare and other officers of the department.