probe team gives clean chit to doctors

HYDERABAD: The state government on Friday gave a clean chit to the doctors and staff at the Kurnool Government Hospital in connection with the death of 11 infants.The investigation team led by Director of Medical Education Dr Sampath Kumar declared that prima facie there was no negligence or any other mistake by the doctors or hospital staff in death of infants.However, the team pointed out that on an average 25 deliveries take place per day in the hospital and that the average mortality rate was 35 per cent in the special care newborn unit (SCNU).The officials also stated that SCNU deaths in August were more than previous months.In their report submitted to the government, the authorities said that of the 10 infants who died on August 31 (four infants) and September 1 (six infants), only one infant was born in the hospital and that the remaining nine were brought to the hospital in the eleventh hour from other hospitals.Health Minister DL Ravindra Reddy told reporters that four of the infants were premature and even doctors could not have saved them.The team of officials stated that the government hospital has sufficient facilities of incubators, warmers, ventilators and other equipment along with drugs.Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy who reviewed the developments wanted the officials to conduct a detailed inquiry into the incident and initiate stringent action in case the staff erred in treatment